Brussels Terror Suspect Mohamed Abrini Moved to High-Security Prison Before Trial

A few weeks ago, Mohamed Abrini, one of the nine accused in the terrorist attacks in Brussels, had refused his transfer to Haren, a high-security prison. Detained since his return from France at the prison of Andenne (province of Namur), he has been moved to Leuze-en-Hainaut, reports Sudinfo.

This transfer, which takes place a few days before the actual trial, would be due to the fact that the Andenne prison lacks security, notably because of all the phones that circulate there easily and without any control. Other sources estimate that the decision was made to facilitate the transfers to the delocalized courthouse of Haren, near Brussels. "Leuze is not closer to Haren than Andenne, but the federal police officers who escort this type of dangerous inmate know the route well," specifies the daily.

At the Leuze prison, Mohamed Abrini joins other inmates such as Osama Krayem and Bilal El Makhoukhi. But they will have no contact with each other, as they are placed in total isolation. The trial starts on October 10 with the composition of the jury members. But before that, the Belgian state must resolve the thorny problem of changing the boxes whose configuration has been challenged by the accused and their lawyers at the opening of the preliminary hearing.

The court has acknowledged that in their initial presentation, the boxes violate the European Convention on Human Rights and has ordered their change before the start of the trial.