The Mayor of Antwerp Bart De Wever (Flemish nationalist) has now after all decided to claim compensation from a group of terrorists who that planned to assassinate him. The news first appeared in Tuesday’s edition of the daily ‘Het Laatste Nieuws’ and been confirmed by Mr De Wever’s spokesman.
Mayor of Antwerp demands compensation from terrorist that planned to assassinate him
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In a statement released on Tuesday Mr De Wever’s spokesman says that “Bart De Wever wants to send out a signal to those that wish to disrupt our country”. He adds if the compensation claim is successful the Flemish nationalist politician will not keep the money for himself.
In June, 2 men were sentenced to 13 years in prison and 3 others received sentences of between 7 and 12 years for plotting to carry out an attack on Mr De Wever. At the time the leader of the Flemish nationalist party N-VA and Mayor of Antwerp didn’t sue for damages. However, Mr De Wever has now asked his lawyer to file for 7,500 euro in damages from the terrorists.
Mr De Wever’s spokesman Johan Vermant told journalists that “Bart De Wever wants the damages to serve as a signal to people that wish to disrupt our country. If the claim is successful, he will deal with this in an appropriate social manner.” What exactly is meant by this is not clear. However, it is understood that Mr De Wever would not keep the money for himself.
The plan was to assassinate De Wever, after Ramadan in April 2023. Detectives deployed an undercover agent who made contact with 1 of the chief suspects in the case via the messaging service Telegram. Properties were searched and 5 men and a woman were arrested and charged. 5 of 6 people that stood trial were convicted, a 6th suspect was acquitted.
A verdict on the damages claim could follow in a few weeks’ time.