Belgium charged a man with planning to commit murder in a terrorist attack and released his brother after a series of house searches on Friday evening, federal prosecutors said.
For the time being, there was no connection with the attacks at Brussels airport and the metro on March 22, in which 32 people were killed, the prosecution office said on Saturday.
Nourredine H., was detained with his brother Hamza H., on suspicion of planning a terrorist attack somewhere in Belgium.
A judge on Saturday charged Nourredine with attempting to commit a terrorist murder and participation in the activities of a terrorist organisation, and extended his custody.
His brother was released without charge.
The federal prosecution office had earlier said it appeared from its initial investigation that there were plans to carry out an attack somewhere in the country.
Public broadcaster RTBF said that Nourredine had previously helped others travel to fight in Syria and had recently travelled widely across Europe, making a number of contacts in France. It added he was looking for weapons, which had prompted Belgian investigators to act.
Police carried out seven house searches in the region of Mons and a further house search in Liege on Friday evening. No weapons or explosives were found.
Brussels, home to European Union institutions and the headquarters of NATO, and Belgium in general are on a security alert level of three out of a maximum of four, a “serious” status with a “possible and probable” threat.

Belgium charges man with planning attack, releases brother

An armed soldier stands behind a cordon in central Brussels on July 20, 2016. (AFP)
Reuters, Brussels
Saturday 30 July 2016
Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:49 - GMT 06:49
DAY | WEEK |
-
9252 Views After Biden freezes F-35 sale to UAE, Otaiba: We expected a review under new US admin
-
5023 Views Coronavirus: Dubai changes travel protocols for inbound passengers from Jan. 31
-
2320 Views Updated rules: Dubai ramps up coronavirus restrictions amid rising cases in UAE
-
2188 Views Iran will ‘demolish’ Tel Aviv, Haifa if attacked by Israel, warns top IRGC commander
-
2029 Views Saudi Arabia arrests 32 in corruption case worth $3 billion
-
1715 Views Saudi Arabia will be ‘another Germany’ in renewable energy sector: Prince Abdulaziz
-
24793 Views Coronavirus: Dubai temporarily postpones Pfizer vaccine campaign amid global shortage
-
20063 Views Saudi Arabia’s PIF to invest 3 trillion riyals over next 10 years: Crown Prince
-
18618 Views Loud explosion heard in Saudi Arabia's capital Riyadh
-
11301 Views Full moon to align directly above Kaaba in Mecca on Jan. 28
-
10986 Views Saudi Arabia’s King Salman issues several new royal decrees
-
8860 Views Coronavirus: Dubai restaurants offer discounts for vaccinated diners
SHOW MORE