The Antwerp Criminal Court has sentenced a 35-year-old man from the Antwerp district of Borgerhout to 10 years’ imprisonment after he was found guilty of attempted terrorist murder. At the beginning of last year, he drove his car recklessly around the streets of Antwerp City Centre, almost running over several cyclists and pedestrians.
The incident happened on 17 January 2025. Amin M. drove his car at high speed through a red light at the crossroads of the Rooseveltplaats and the Van Ertbornstraat. A pedestrian that was crossing the street was able to jump to safety just in time.
Amin M. continued driving at high speed via City Park, the Paleisstraat and the Brederodestraat. He drove onto pavements and cycle paths reaching speeds of between 50 and 60 km/h and endangering dozens of people in the process. The police were eventually able to box him in at the Konijnenwei, on the Singel.
Supporter of IS
When detectives examined Amin A.’s internet search history and saw several disturbing Facebook posts, they concluded that the motive for his actions may have been terrorism. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office took charge of the investigation. The Federal Prosecutor discovered that Amin M. had been an IS supporter since 2020. His distributed IS propaganda and intended to carry out a terrorist attack. On the wall of his cell, he wrote that “The World Islamic State is coming soon".
Amin M.’s lawyers said that the Federal Prosecutor had focused too much on their client’s internet search history. They denied that his actions were motivated by terrorism and said that he was depressed and had financial and relationship issues. The lawyers disputed whether he had intended to kill anyone. They added that CCTV footage showed that he always braked at the last minute to avoid hitting people.
Videos of attacks involving several vehicles
In its verdict the court said that at the crossroads of the Rooseveltplaats and the Van Ertbornstraat the accused certainly did not brake and the pedestrian escaped a potentially fatal accident by jumping away.
From his activities on the internet, it was clear that Amin M. supported IS ideology, martyrdom and jihad. Prior to his actions he had recently viewed video footage of similar attacks involving vehicles that had been carried out in other countries. The court ruled that there was no question of his action having been impulsive. He acted with malice of forethought and with the intent to instill fear among the public.