Convicted Terrorist Granted Belgian Passport, Sparking Security Concerns

Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden confirmed on Wednesday to the Chamber the issuance of the passport, which Mr. Belliraj had requested from the Belgian embassy in Rabat after his release. The man holds Belgian nationality and has family in the country. His potential return is subject to particular vigilance: "The security services [...] are well informed of the risk and are evaluating measures [...] in case of return," assured the minister, reminding that Belgium does not comment on the Moroccan pardon, which is a decision of a "sovereign state."

This security monitoring is also explained by Mr. Belliraj’s past, suspected in Belgium in the 1980s of being involved in six political murders (including that of Dr. Joseph Wybran). However, these cases have been time-barred since 2020.

Vlaams Belang deputy Alexander Van Hoecke, who questioned the minister, is concerned about a possible return, claiming to see "signs" in this direction. He stated: "This is a man who was sentenced to life for terrorism and suspected of political murders in our country. Towards the victims, this pardon sends a very strange signal."