Radicalized Belgian Soldier Found Dead After Month-Long Manhunt

Missing since May 17, 2021, Jürgen Coning, a 46-year-old far-right radicalized soldier, has "been found dead," reports the AFP. This announcement was made by the Minister and the Chief of Defense of Belgium. In a press release, the public prosecutor’s office specified that according to the first findings, the cause of death is attributable to suicide by firearm, which will have to be confirmed by a forensic examination.

While the mayor of Maaseik was cycling with his friends, he discovered the lifeless body of the fugitive soldier for several weeks in the woods of the municipality of Dilsen-Stokkem. Searches had indeed been carried out on several occasions after the discovery of his vehicle, on May 18, the day after his escape. During the search, the investigators had found four anti-tank rocket launchers and ammunition in the vehicle.

Flagged by the Belgian organization for the analysis of the terrorist threat (Ocam) last February, Jürgen Coning was a soldier considered a potentially dangerous extremist. In letters found by the investigators, he had expressed his intention to attack representatives of the State and the Belgian virologist Marc Van Ranst, a well-known expert in the Covid-19 pandemic. He also wanted to attack mosques. An investigation had been opened for "attempted assassination in a terrorist context". In 2020, his hierarchy had sanctioned him due to his radicalized profile and racist remarks on Facebook, by withdrawing his security clearance.