Arrested driver in Antwerp charged with attempted terrorism

The man arrested on Thursday in Belgian city of Antwerp has been charged with attempted terrorism, prosecutors said on Friday.

Mohamed R., a French national, was arrested by soldiers after he drove at a fast speed at crowds in a major shopping street in the city, with his vehicle in which weapons were found, Xinhua news agency reported.

The local media also said the driver was under the influence of alcohol, making it impossible to interrogate him until Friday.

However, the man was charged on Friday with "an attempt to murder in a terrorist manner, an attempt to hit and wound in a terrorist manner and arms infractions".

Interrogated by prosecutors, Mohamed R. denied being the driver in the vehicle, but did not manage to have logical explanations. The police raid at his home did not lead to a terrorist threat either.

--IANS

lok/