Moroccan resident in Spain caught in Brussels with loaded Kalashnikov hidden among baby clothes
The 23-year-old suspect had arrived by train from France and was carrying the weapon concealed beneath baby and children’s clothing
Belgian police have arrested a 23-year-old Moroccan citizen at Brussels-Midi station after finding a loaded Kalashnikov-type assault rifle inside his bag.
The weapon was hidden beneath several items of baby and children’s clothing. According to reports published by several media outlets, the young man had arrived by train from France and holds a Spanish residence permit.
The arrest took place last Thursday at around 9.30 am at one of the Belgian capital’s main international railway hubs. Customs officers noticed the suspect because he appeared visibly nervous and was attempting to avoid a security check.
The man allegedly tried to blend in with a group of Eurostar passengers, but officers separated him from the group to inspect his luggage. During the search, they found the loaded rifle among the children’s clothing. A joint patrol of police officers and military personnel intervened immediately and arrested him.
Remanded in custody amid organised crime investigation
The investigating judge ordered the suspect to be remanded in custody. He is under investigation for alleged membership of a criminal organisation and illegal possession of a military weapon.
He is expected to appear before the pre-trial chamber on Wednesday, when it will decide whether to extend his detention.
His lawyer, Benoit Lemal, confirmed the arrest but did not explain why the young man was travelling to Belgium with a loaded military weapon, what route he had previously taken or how he intended to use it.
Belgian Federal Police have so far found insufficient evidence to link the case to jihadist terrorism. The investigation is therefore focusing primarily on a possible connection to drug trafficking and organised crime.
One hypothesis is that the rifle may be linked to clashes between groups associated with the so-called Mocro Mafia and Balkan criminal organisations over control of Brussels’ drug market. However, it has not yet been established that the suspect belongs to this criminal network.
