Van Quickenborne demission led to significant political changes and a renewed focus on national security.
Belgium, nestled in the heart of Europe, finds itself at a critical juncture in its approach to addressing pressing national security concerns.
Van Quickenborne resigns as Justice Minister after Brussels attack
Vincent Van Quickenborne, the Belgian Justice Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, announced his resignation on Friday, October 20, 2023.
After learning a Tunisian terrorist who killed two Swedes in Brussels wasn’t extradited, he took this decision.
Van Quickenborne Demission expressed shock and sadness about the “monumental, unacceptable mistake.”
He said he wanted to take his political responsibility and did not look for excuses or pretexts.
He added that he had done his best to improve the justice system during his tenure.
Abdesalem Lassoued, the Tunisian terrorist, escaped from a Tunisian prison in 2011 and received a 26-year, 8-month sentence for attempted murder in 2005.
In addition to that, he faced charges of arson and destruction. Tunisia requested his extradition on August 15, 2023, and the Federal Public Service Justice forwarded the request to the Brussels prosecutor’s office on September 1, 2023.
However, the competent magistrate did not take any further action on the request.
Lassoued carried out a shooting attack near the Grand Place in Brussels on Monday, October 16, 2023, killing two Swedish tourists and injuring several others. He was later killed by the police in Schaerbeek.
Paul Van Tigchelt appointed as new Justice Minister and Deputy Prime Minister
King Philippe swore in Paul Van Tigchelt, the former OCAD director, as the new Justice Minister and Deputy Prime Minister on October 22, 2023, in the presence of Prime Minister Alexander De Croo.
Van Tigchelt, 50 years old, is a member of the Open Vld party. He studied law at the Catholic University of Leuven and started his career as a prosecutor in Antwerp in 1998.
He became a deputy prosecutor in 2003 and worked as an adviser and deputy chief of staff for Patrick Dewael, the former Interior Minister and vice-premier, from 2003 to 2008.
Paul was also a deputy prosecutor-general from 2014 to 2016 and a spokesperson for the Antwerp prosecutor-general’s office.
He became the director of OCAD in January 2016, a few months before the terrorist attacks at Zaventem airport and Brussels metro.
In October 2020, he joined the cabinet of Vincent Van Quickenborne as deputy chief of staff.
After his resignation, he chose to succeed him as Justice Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.
He said he would work hard to ensure justice.
