Belgian news in brief, 28 October 2005

Terror raid in Brussels ends empty handed

Belgian police raided a premises in Schaarbeek in Brussels on Friday as part of an anti-terrorism sweep. The house was allegedly used by the Hofstadgroep, the radical Islamic network suspected of involvement in the murder of Dutch film director Theo van Gogh last year. Police were searching for weapons, but the building was empty.

Students defend ‘illegal’ resident

Some 500 students in Knokke-Heist protested against the federal government’s deportation policy on Friday. One of their classmates was detained earlier this month and is set to be repatriated. The protestors are opposed to the fact that children who have lived in Belgium for more than six years and attend school are suddenly being deported. They are demanding the child be given residence status.

Tour de France in Wallonia

The Tour de France will visit Belgium next year. The 5th stage will be held on 5 July, starting from the city of Huy in the province of Liège. Riders will move onto the south-west from Huy and finish in Saint-Quentin in the north of France. The 2006 Tour de France route was unveiled in Paris on Thursday.

Ex-detainee files complaint against Saudis

The Flemish man who spent more than two years in jail in Saudi-Arabia has filed a complaint against the Saudi Interior Minister. Raf Schyvens aims to use the Belgian ‘genocide law’ to force a conviction for torture. Schyvens spent 26 months in a cell and solitary confinement on allegations he was involved in several bombings in Saudi-Arabia. He denies the charges. Schyvens was released two years ago.

Subject: Belgian news