Belgian Minister of Justice resigns after terrorist attack in Brussels

(Patria) - Belgian Minister of Justice Vincent Van Quickenborne abruptly resigned in connection with the terrorist attack in Brussels in which two Swedish nationals were killed, local media report.

According to Rtbf.be, Van Quickenborne called a press conference in his office this evening, during which he presented new facts regarding the terrorist attack.

He acknowledged an "individual error," took full responsibility for it, apologised, and - said he would resign.

Van Quickenborne revealed that before the tragic attack, investigations by various services had uncovered that Tunisia had sent Belgium a request for the extradition of Abdessalem Lassoued, the man who committed the crime in Brussels and died the same evening.

The request, as told to journalists, was submitted on August 15, 2022, and arrived at the Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office on September 1, but the magistrate responsible for processing the request simply did not act on it.

In 2022, that magistrate was forwarded a total of 31 international extradition requests, and he processed 30. The one he did not process was precisely the file concerning the terrorist from Tunisia.

The Minister of Justice assessed that this was an extremely serious error with tragic consequences and that he takes responsibility for it.

- As Minister of Justice, I cannot under any circumstances interfere in the decisions of a magistrate. However, I want to take responsibility for this unacceptable mistake.

I absolutely do not seek excuses, nor do I try to find them. I conveyed this information to the Prime Minister and announced my resignation from the post of Minister of Justice - Van Quickenborne told journalists.

He then, on behalf of the judiciary, apologised to the victims and their loved ones, as well as to the Swedish people and the citizens of Belgium.

The press conference was called so abruptly that journalists barely managed to arrive at the Minister of Justice's office on time.

Since the beginning of the investigation into the attack in Brussels, Van Quickenborne had promised to show transparency.