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Murder

Eight Men Found Guilty of 2016 Brussels Terrorist Attacks

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The 2016 Brussels terrorist attacks, which killed 32 people and injured over 300, resulted in the conviction of eight men, including Salah Abdeslam, who is already serving a life sentence in France for the 2015 Paris attacks. The attacks, carried out by a Belgo-French cell of the Islamic State terrorist group, targeted Brussels airport and a metro station, causing widespread devastation and "untold chaos." The verdicts delivered by the president of the Brussels court of assizes, Laurence Massart, brought closure to a chapter in Belgium's judicial history, with over 900 civil plaintiffs participating in the hearings.

Key Takeaways:

  • Eight men have been found guilty of murder and attempted murder in the 2016 Brussels terrorist attacks, which killed 32 people and injured over 300.
  • Salah Abdeslam, already serving a life sentence in France for his role in the 2015 Paris attacks, was among those convicted.
  • Four other defendants, including Mohamed Abrini, known as "the man in the hat," were also convicted of their roles in the attacks.
  • The attacks, carried out by a Belgo-French cell of the Islamic State terrorist group, targeted Brussels airport and a metro station during the morning rush hour.
  • Over 900 civil plaintiffs participated in the hearings, which began in December and were part of the biggest trial in Belgium's judicial history.
  • The terrorists will be sentenced at a later date, likely in September.
  • The attacks caused "untold chaos" and resulted in the immediate aftermath of dust and an acrid smell.
  • The metro station in Maelbeek was turned into an "underground hell" by the second cell of suicide bombers.

Statistics:

  • 32 people killed in the 2016 Brussels terrorist attacks
  • Over 300 people injured in the same attacks
  • 900+ civil plaintiffs participated in the hearings
  • 8 men found guilty of murder and attempted murder
  • 10 defendants were charged with 32 counts of terrorist murder, attempted terrorist murder of 695 people, and participation in the activities of a terrorist group
  • 300 questions were set for the jurors in relation to the defendants, ranging from terrorism to harbouring terrorists on the run
  • 5 hours or more were expected to be spent delivering the jurors' answers

Sources:

  • "Eight men found guilty over Brussels terrorist attacks" by Lisa O'Carroll in Brussels (BBC News, [no date])
  • "Belgium Trials: The men who brought Brussels to its knees" (Euronews, [no date])
  • Photographs by Belgian federal police/AFP/Getty Images and Laurie Dieffembacq/Belga/AFP/Getty Images (BBC News, [no date])

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