© G-R Mottez via Unsplash
Six minors, all students at a school in Hasselt, were arrested in mid-June on suspicion of planning an attack, according to the Belgian police and the Limburg Public Prosecutor’s Office.
“In a group on the TikTok platform, threats were made, including arson and an attack using chemical substances against the school and school administrators,” the statement reads. “In addition, references were also made to school shootings, extremist groups, and violent events in history.”
The police were able to identify the members within 24 hours, thanks in part to swift cooperation with internet service providers and judicial authorities. They were arrested on suspicion of planning an attack. The youths were brought before a juvenile court judge, and the investigation is ongoing.
Police and prosecutors say their swift action may have prevented something worse and emphasize that online threats and extremist messages are taken very seriously.
According to reports in the Belgian media, “young people must be very aware of which online groups they join. When they come across messages that are unacceptable, it's of the utmost importance that they report this to the police. Young people—and, by extension, society as a whole—must be aware that posting extremist messages and threats is absolutely unacceptable and will be met with appropriate consequences by the police and the justice system.”
Illustration picture: © G-R Mottez via Unsplash