A court in Bruges sentenced a Chechen man to 15 years in prison and his wife to 8 years for planning a terrorist attack last summer that targeted a Jewish neighbourhood in Antwerp and other locations across Belgium.
According to reports, the couple and additional suspects had rented a warehouse to store weapons and conducted surveillance of police activity, visiting potential targets.
The group had planned attacks on various locations in Antwerp, including the Jewish quarter, crowded areas, a police station and a NATO building.
The key figure, identified as Abu Bakr, received the heaviest sentence of 15 years. Abu Bakr had openly expressed his desire to spread fear and kill, sending videos on bomb-making and pledging allegiance to Islamic State. He also recruited new members, raised funds and ensured that Islamic State would claim responsibility for the attacks. During the trial, Abu Bakr disrupted the proceedings multiple times, insulting the judge, and was eventually sent back to his cell.
