Belgian prosecutors seek 2-year sentence for man who threatened Jewish family, drew swastikas

Belgian prosecutors requested a two-year prison term for a Namur resident accused of threatening to slit the throats of a Jewish family, drawing swastikas, and Holocaust denial. The verdict is expected in December.

The prosecution in Belgium has requested a two-year prison sentence for a resident of the city of Namur, who is accused of threatening to slit the throats of the family members of his Jewish landlord. According to the indictment, the threats were made after the landlord came to collect unpaid payments. In addition, the defendant allegedly drew swastikas in the common areas of the residential building. According to a report by the Belgian news agency Belga, the defendant is charged with threats of a terrorist attack, Holocaust denial, and harassment. It was further alleged that he harassed a neighbor of foreign origin who lived in the apartment below him, cursed her, spat at her, and pounded on the floor for hours during the night. Some of the acts attributed to the defendant allegedly occurred as early as June 2022, but the legal proceedings against him are still ongoing. The defendant did not appear at the court hearing. The verdict is expected to be handed down on December 4.