Woman at centre of deaththreat row returns to work

11 April 2005

BRUSSELS – The Muslim woman who resigned from her job after a series of death threats to her boss has returned to work, it was reported on Monday.

Naima Amzil left the convenience food firm Remmery in Ledegem on 2 March.

Her boss Rik Vannieuwenhuyse had received seven letters from a group, dubbing itself Nieuw Vrij Vlaanderen, threatening him and his family for letting Amzil wear a headscarf.

Vannieuwenhuyse has stood by his employee ever since the start of the threats –a stance which has won him widespread praise, including the backing of King Albert II.

However, last month, Amzil said she could no longer stand the pressure after two of the letters contained bullets.

She had already tried to placate the extremists by removing her headscarf at work, but the threats had continued.

The day Amzil left her job Vannieuwenhuyse said he would keep her job open and consider his employee was taking indefinite leave.

On Monday, the website of the radio and television company RTL, reported that Amzil was back at Remmery.

“Naima, after several weeks of holiday, has simply come back to work,” said Vannieuwenhuyse.

“Her colleagues and I were extremely happy to see her again and we hope that everything will be like it was before.”

Subject: Belgian news