“We will never succumb to violence. Never”. This is a message from Belgian Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborn, hours after three people were arrested in the Netherlands for “threats” against him and after a car with guns was found near his house.

“As a father, my biggest concern right now is my wife and children. They didn’t choose it, but they have to suffer the consequences. Any parent will understand that this is hard to bear. We are trying to keep children out of what is happening as much as possible,” the Belgian minister wrote in a Facebook post, adding that “I was the target this time. Unfortunately, this is the reality that many people in the police and justice system face. Anyone involved in the fight against organized crime knows that it inevitably comes with risks. From the police patrolling our streets at night to the federal prosecutor’s office. And yet they do it out of a sense of duty to us, with complete anonymity. Even if they are aware of the risks. Even if threats against them have less influence in the media. They are all heroes. In our democratic rule of law, we will never succumb to violence. Never”.

According to the newspaper Le Soir, three people were arrested in the Netherlands on Friday evening in connection with a “serious” threat against Vincent Van Kuikenborn.

“The federal prosecutor’s office was informed last week of a possible threat to the identity of Justice Minister Vincent van Kwieckenborn,” the prosecutor’s office said, adding that “the investigation was immediately launched and entrusted to the investigator of the judicial district of West Flanders. Early data from this study indicated that this threat should be taken seriously.”

It should be noted that the transfer of those arrested to Belgium was requested.

Earlier Friday morning, a suspicious car was spotted in a residential area near the minister’s residence, according to the Flemish newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws. Kalashnikov assault rifles, explosives and, possibly, gas cylinders were found in the car. A suspected car with Dutch license plates has been confiscated and will be investigated. The Threat Analysis Coordinating Group said that no jumping to conclusions about what might be behind this case should be made at this time. However, Vincent Van Kuikenborn canceled several of his events for the next few days, while it was decided to strengthen his security.

Source: RES-IPE