A Moroccan man arrives from France with a loaded Kalashnikov hidden under baby clothes

The arrest took place on Thursday morning at around 9:30 a.m. at one of Belgium’s busiest stations. Customs officers noticed the nervous behavior of a young man who appeared to be trying to avoid a check and was attempting to blend in with a group of Eurostar passengers.

The officers pulled him out of the crowd before searching his sports bag. Inside, beneath baby and children’s clothing, they discovered a loaded Kalashnikov, BRUZZ reports.

The suspect was identified as Nabil S.T., a 23-year-old Moroccan. According to the information available, he is believed to have traveled from France to Belgium and holds a Spanish residence permit. Investigators are still trying to determine the weapon’s exact route and the reason for its presence in Brussels.

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Brought before an investigating judge, the young man was placed under an arrest warrant. He was charged, in particular, with belonging to a criminal organization and carrying a prohibited weapon.

His lawyer did not wish to provide any explanation about the origin of the Kalashnikov or what his client intended to do with it. The Moroccan man is due to appear on Wednesday before the council chamber, which will decide whether or not to maintain his pretrial detention.

A second suspect arrested

The case took on a new dimension on Monday. BRUZZ reports that a second man was arrested as part of the same investigation.

This suspect, identified as Floriant T.M., is also due to appear on Wednesday before the council chamber. His exact role in the case has not yet been made public and remains under investigation.

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The arrest comes as Brussels has been experiencing growing concern for several months over weapons of war and settling scores. Several shootings have notably affected the Belgian capital and its outskirts. In May, two men were still on trial after a shooting that took place in Anderlecht.