On November 16, 2025, Nizar Trabelsi, a former Tunisian footballer, was arrested in Belgium for plotting a suicide terror attack on a NATO linked air base and later sentenced to 10 years in prison. In this report, we look at 15 incidents that highlight the growing influence of radical Islamist ideology in Belgium from November 2020 to November 2025.
#1 Belgium Pays Compensation to Former al-Qaeda Terrorist Nizar Trabelsi – November 2025
Belgium paid €350,000 in compensation to former al-Qaeda member Nizar Trabelsi after the European Court of Human Rights ruled that his 2013 extradition to the U.S. was illegal. Trabelsi, a former Tunisian footballer, was originally arrested in September 2001 for plotting a suicide bombing on the NATO-linked Kleine-Brogel air base. He was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison in Belgium. The compensation sparked public outrage, as critics argued that a convicted jihadist should not receive taxpayer-funded damages.
#2 Three Arrested Over Plot to Assassinate Belgian Prime Minister – November 2025
Belgian police arrested three suspects in connection with a planned jihadist attack targeting the Prime Minister. Authorities seized an improvised explosive device, steel ball bearings, and a 3D printer believed to be used for assembling a drone-based explosive. Investigators said the suspects were in the advanced stages of planning.
#3 Brussels Court Convicts ISIS Fighter for Yazidi Genocide – November 2025
A Brussels court convicted Sammy Djedou, an ISIS militant, of genocide and crimes against humanity committed against the Yazidi community from 2014 onward. Tried in absentia, Djedou was accused of participating in mass killings, rape, and enslavement of Yazidi women. Belgium proceeded with prosecution despite earlier reports that he died in a 2016 airstrike. This marked Belgium’s first genocide conviction related to the Yazidi genocide.
#4 Belgium Moves to Ban Muslim Brotherhood and Extremist Groups – July 2025
Belgium introduced a law enabling the government to ban groups deemed threats to democratic order, specifically naming networks tied to the Muslim Brotherhood and Samidoun. Officials argued that foreign-backed extremist organisations undermine national security. Civil liberties groups warned the legislation could overreach, but the government insisted it was necessary to curb radicalisation.
#5 Three ISIS-K Members Charged Over Terror Plot in Brussels – July 2024
Belgian authorities charged three suspected members of ISIS-K after nationwide raids uncovered a terror plot. Police seized digital evidence showing communication with international ISIS networks. The arrests came months before the Paris Olympics, prompting speculation the cell may have considered timing attacks with the event.
#6 Four Suspects Planned Attack on Brussels Botanique Concert Hall – March 2024
Police arrested three minors and one adult involved in an ISIS-inspired plan to attack the Botanique concert hall. The group communicated through encrypted channels, discussed methods aligned with Islamic State propaganda, and sought weapons through the dark web. The adult suspect was charged with participating in a terrorist group, while minors were placed under juvenile anti-terror supervision.
#7 Belgium Records 41% Surge in Terrorist Threats in 2023
Belgium’s Coordination Unit for Threat Analysis (CUTA) reported 332 extremist or terrorist threats in 2023, up from 236 in 2022—a 41% spike. Over 40% were linked to Islamist extremism. Authorities noted an increase in anonymous online threats and “copycat” radicalisation inspired by global conflicts.
#8 Tunisian ISIS Gunman Kills Two Swedish Fans in Brussels – October 2023
Abdesalem Lassoued, a Tunisian national living illegally in Belgium, opened fire on Swedish football supporters, killing two men. He fled the scene but was later located and shot by police. Belgium raised the terror alert to its highest level for days. Investigators found Lassoued pledged allegiance to ISIS shortly before the attack.
#9 Eight Convicted for Role in 2016 Brussels Bombings – July 2023
Eight men, including Salah Abdeslam and Mohamed Abrini, were convicted for involvement in the 2016 suicide bombings that killed 32 people at Brussels Airport and Maalbeek metro station. The trial, one of the largest in Belgian history, concluded with convictions for mass murder and participation in a terrorist organisation.
#10 Seven Arrested in ISIS Terror Plot in Belgium – May 2023
Belgian police arrested seven Islamic State supporters during raids across the western region. Authorities said the suspects were planning an attack on “a Belgian institution,” though details remain classified. They are being investigated for attempted assassination and terrorism-related charges.
#11 Eight Islamist Extremists Arrested in Raids Across Belgium – March 2023
Police raided multiple homes across three cities, arresting eight individuals linked to radical Islamist circles. Investigators said the suspects were in early stages of organising a terror attack. The raids formed part of a coordinated counter-terrorism operation across Europe.
#12 Police Officer Stabbed to Death in Brussels Terror Attack – November 2022
A police officer was fatally stabbed near Brussels North station by an assailant shouting “Allahu Akbar.” Another officer was injured before a nearby patrol shot the attacker. Authorities later confirmed the killer had been flagged for extremist tendencies.
#13 Iranian Diplomat Convicted in 2018 Bomb Plot – February 2021
Iranian diplomat Assadollah Assadi was sentenced to 20 years in prison for masterminding a 2018 plot to bomb a rally near Paris. Assadi delivered explosive materials to Belgian-Iranian operatives before being arrested in Germany. The case strained EU–Iran relations.
#14 Belgium Bans Halal Slaughter Without Pre-Stunning – January 2021
Belgium officially enforced a ban on halal and kosher slaughter without pre-stunning, following court rulings upholding regional laws in Flanders and Wallonia. Muslim organisations condemned the ban as discriminatory, while animal rights groups celebrated it as a humane reform.
#15 Two Teenagers Arrested for ISIS-Inspired Stabbing Plot -November 2020
Two male minors were arrested in Eupen and La Calamine over an ISIS-inspired plan to attack police officers with knives. Authorities recovered a video in which the teens pledged allegiance to Islamic State. Both were charged with attempted terrorist assassination and involvement in a terrorist organisation.
Subscribe to our channels on WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram and YouTube to get the best stories of the day delivered to you personally.