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Belgium Frees Terror Suspects

Court finds lack of evidence to hold 14 men; country remains on high alert

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 22, 2007 4:01 PM CST

(Newser) – Today Belgian police released 14 men accused of plotting to break free an al-Qaeda suicide bomber, the AP reports. A court ruled there was not enough evidence to justify holding them more than 24 hours—the standard time to present evidence on a suspect in Belgium. "The police get the same time to question a terrorist as they would a shoplifter," one expert said. "It's a judicial fiasco."

Prosecutors vowed to continue the probe and said that security measures enacted nationwide after the arrests would continue. "According to our investigation there were sufficient indications pointing to a terrorist threat," a federal spokeswoman said. "That is why we did not wait to detain the suspects."

Alleged Al-Qaeda militant, Tunisian Nizar Trabelsi arrives escoted by policemen at the Brussels justice palace to introduce a summary procedure against Belgian State to protest his sentence, 30 September 2004. The 14 men detained in Belgium yesterday were thought to be plotting to free Trabelsi. (ETIENNE ANSOTTE/AFP/Getty Images)
Alleged Al-Qaeda militant, Tunisian Nizar Trabelsi arrives escoted by policemen at the Brussels justice palace to introduce a summary procedure against Belgian State to protest his sentence, 30 September...   (Getty Images)
Belgian Police officers stand guard on the Grand'Place in  Brussels, Friday Dec. 21, 2007, following the arrest of 14 suspected Islamic militants. The security level went a step higher against a possible terrorist attack as a plot to liberate an Al Qaeda suspect from jail was uncovered. (AP Photo/Thierry Charlier)
Belgian Police officers stand guard on the Grand'Place in Brussels, Friday Dec. 21, 2007, following the arrest of 14 suspected Islamic militants. The security level went a step higher against a possible...   (Associated Press)
Federal magistrates Lieve Pellens, Jaak Raas and Alain Lefevre of the government's coordination and crisis center give a press conference 21 December 2007 in Brussels on the increased security measures in Brussels in case of a possible terrorist attack. Fourteen suspected Islamists were arrested during house searches, the interior ministry...
Federal magistrates Lieve Pellens, Jaak Raas and Alain Lefevre of the government's coordination and crisis center give a press conference 21 December 2007 in Brussels on the increased security measures...   (Getty Images)
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