Suspect briefcase sparks EU security scare

3 March 2005

BRUSSELS – An army bomb squad was called in to blow up a suspect briefcase found in Brussels’ European Union district on Thursday.

The briefcase had been left outside an office block on Rue Belliard, a major artery road.

The road, along with part of Rue de Treves, was closed off to traffic between 9.45 and 10.30am.

It turned out to be a false alarm as a man had simply forgotten to pick up his briefcase, which also contained his laptop computer.

According to a police spokesman, the man had returned to the scene later and could confirm that his computer was no longer in working order.

Subject: Belgian news