Skip navigation

Belgium on alert after 14 nabbed in terror probe

Suspects allegedly sought to free al-Qaida sympathizer who plotted attack

INTERACTIVE
Al-Qaida's reach
For nearly two decades, al-Qaida and groups it's inspired have tried to attack U.S. and other Western targets across the world, with mixed results.
Terrorism video  
CIA under scrutiny for plans to kill bin Laden
July 13: New details emerged on Monday about a CIA plan to try to capture and kill al-Qaida members that was withheld from Congress at the direction of former Vice President Dick Cheney. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.

Text alerts on msnbc.com

Breaking news alerts (about 1 per day)
Click here to sign up or text NEWS to MSNBC (67622).

Find more alerts at alerts.msnbc.com

updated 7:01 a.m. ET Dec. 21, 2007

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Belgian authorities said 14 people were arrested Friday for allegedly seeking to free an al-Qaida sympathizer imprisoned for planning a terrorist attack on U.S. air base personnel.

They said security was heightened at airports and subway stations.

Story continues below ↓
advertisement | your ad here

"Since it could not be excluded that the group had other plans and because of the heightened terror threat this time of year, it was decided no risk should be taken," said Lieve Pellens, spokeswoman for the federal prosecutor's office.

Nizar Trabelsi, a 37-year-old Tunisian who played soccer for several German teams, was sentenced to the maximum 10 years in prison four years ago.

He had admitted planning to drive a car bomb into the canteen at Kleine Brogel, a Belgian air base where U.S. nuclear weapons are believed to be stored. About 100 American military personnel are stationed there.

Trabelsi testified that he intended kill American soldiers, not to detonate the nuclear warheads believed to be at the base.

The prosecutor's office said the 14 suspects were planning to free the terrorist using force.

© 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

  MORE FROM TERRORISM  
  
Terrorism Section Front
 
Add Terrorism headlines to your news reader:
 
Sponsored LinksGet listed here
Top Online Schools
Find the perfect online school and Boost your Career! Free Info Pack.
www.EarnMyDegree.com

Sponsored links

Resource guide