Two held in Brussels over New Year’s Eve terror plot

Authorities in Belgium have arrested two people on suspicion of plotting attacks in the capital, Brussels, during New Year celebrations.

A statement later identified the man as Abdoullah C, a Belgian national born in 1985, who was arrested on Tuesday on charges of “terrorist murders and participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation”.

“They are suspected of being affiliated with the Islamic State and were planning an attack on the New Year in Ankara”, the official said, asking not to be named.

The arrests on Tuesday morning took place after a number of police raids in the capital, the Brabant region and Liege on Sunday and Monday. Two suspects linked to Islamic State were arrested on Thursday.

Six people were initially questioned after house searches but four of them were released, prosecutors said.

On Wednesday, Brussels city leaders were expected to decide whether the annual New Year’s Eve fireworks display, scheduled for another large public square near the Grand Place, should go ahead as scheduled.

Belgium Police spokesperson, Joham Berckman said after the revelation was made, “An investigation is underway I can confirm that 15 to 20 soldiers were sleeping at the police station to save them making the journey back to their barracks”.

On 21 November, after the Paris attacks that killed 130 and injured hundreds, the terrorist alert level for all of Brussels was temporarily raised to its maximum level.

A particular warning has been issued for police stations and areas with a military presence, the spokesman added.

Schools, shops and the Metro stayed closed for days, and troops were deployed as anti-terror officers searched for suspects connected to the mass killings. Security measures have been increased to prevent a Paris-style copycat attack on an unknown location in Europe, ” according to the police.

Belgian authorities have detained nine people in connection together with the Paris assaults.

“We should never allow the threat of terrorism to frighten us into changing our normal lives. But I repeat: If it’s ever necessary, we’ll take the decision [to recommend cancellation], even if it’s a hard one”.