2 cars were set alight in Antwerp’s Jewish Quarter on Monday night. The Antwerp Prosecutor’s Office says that 2 suspects have been apprehended in connection with the incident.
The vehicles were torched on the corner of the Appelmansstraat and the Vestingstraat on the edge of the Jewish Quarter, not far from Antwerp Central railway station. The news that a stationary vehicle had been set alight was first reported by the daily ‘Het Laatste Nieuws’ and has since been confirmed by the Antwerp Prosecutor’s Office.
“Footage of the incident was circulating online and this is why we are certain that this was arson”, says Kristof Aerts of the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s Office told VRT News. “The police were alerted quickly and were able to arrest two juvenile suspects.”
Group behind recent anti-Semitic attacks claims responsibility
A group that is also believed to be responsible for recent anti-Semitic attacks in other cities has claimed responsibility for the attack. However, it is far from certain whether anti-Semitism was the motive behind Monday night’s attack.
The suspects will be questioned today (Tuesday 24 March) “At the moment, the investigation into the exact circumstances and context of the incident is ongoing. All avenues are still being explored,” Mr Aerts told VRT News.