Man (44) who wanted to commit terrorist attack at music festivals, should not again go to the cell: « seek psychological help » (inland)
Based on the information from the State Security, the police rushed to the W-festival on 24 August 2022, on the small beach at Zeeheldenplein in Ostend. There were indications that someone wanted to commit a terrorist attack at the event, where international toppers such as Bauhaus, Anne Clark and UB40 would take office. But in the end no weapons or explosives were found and the festival could continue.
A day before, the court had arrested the then 41-year-old Dominique V. from Ypres, on suspicion of terror. The man had around 100,000 extremist photos that could be linked to terror organizations such as the Taliban and IS. He also had manuals to make explosives. « There were indications that with an AK-47 he wanted to commit an attack on the W-festival, » said Federal Attorney Antoon Schotsaert at the trial in the Bruges criminal court.
According to Schotsaert, research showed that V. exchanged messages via Telegram and Instagram with at least sixteen jihadist profiles. « He spoke about making a bomb and about an attack on a hospital, » he continued. « With a Frenchman he polished to possible IS brothers in Paris. » In one of the conversations, V. would have explicitly asked for an AK-47. « It’s the perfect moment for an attack, » it sounded ominous.
As many victims as possible
V. not only visited the W-festival, but also the famous Rammstein concerts in Ostend. The prosecutor referred to the photos he took from the construction of the festival site. In an interrogation, V. admitted that he wanted to meet a potential companion from Paris in Lille. « I wanted to shake the politicians after the attack in Paris and Zaventem, » he said. Later he also admitted that he inquired about the best way to make as many victims as possible.
For participation in the activities of the Islamic State (IS) and the preparation of a terrorist attack, the federal prosecutor asked forty months in prison. He took into account the fact that V. correctly complied with his conditions when he was allowed to leave prison after six months. « He has no problem insight and is very influenceable. It is precisely there that the danger lies. Finding firearms is a red line. »
« Not smart enough »
Lawyer Louise Regheere fully went for the acquittal. « He never really wanted to commit an attack and is not even smart enough to make a bomb, » she argued. “But of course he sent those messages. He regrets that. After seeing a report about the attacks in Zaventem, he wanted to know how people like that think. The search for Jürgen Conings also influenced him. But it was not his intention to commit an attack. On the contrary, he even had a right to say. naive follower. ”
According to Treheere V. took photos of the Rammstein stage to forward to his girlfriend. « He wanted to go to the concert with her, but found the tickets too expensive. With those photos he wanted to show his girlfriend how impressive the stage was. » The defendant ultimately also expressed his regret himself. « I’ve been very stupid, » he leaned his head. « But if you consider me guilty, I am willing to follow conditions or perform a work sentence. »
Weak self -image
The court considered V. on Monday guilty and gave him suspended prison sentence for thirty months, with the exception of the under -retailing, and 1,200 euro fine, half of which is conditional. Among other things, reference was made to his blank criminal record and the psychiatric report. « He compensates for a weak self -image by mirroring people with extreme views, » it sounded. « He can be influenced and lacks introspective skills. »
According to the court, the chance of new facts is low. D. must adhere to a laundry list of probation conditions for the next three years. In this way the man must seek psychological help and keep his work. He will also be closely monitored by a judicial assistant.
