2016 Brussels stabbing attacks

Terrorist incident in Belgium September 2021 2016 Brussels stabbing attacks Location of Charleroi in Belgium 300px Schaerbeek, Belgium Police officers 5 October 2016 UTC+02:00 Stabbing, Islamic terrorism 0 4 (including the assistant) Hicham Diop Machete On 5 October 2016, three police officers were attacked by a man wielding a machete in the Schaerbeek municipality of Brussels, Belgium. Two of them suffered stab wounds, while the third was physically assaulted but otherwise uninjured. The suspected assailant, a Belgian citizen named Hicham Diop, was apprehended and charged with attempted terrorism-related murder and participating in a terrorist group. He soon told police that his brother, Aboubaker Diop, had also been involved, and the latter was also arrested. Background Prior to the stabbing, Schaerbeek and the nearby municipality of Molenbeek had already become known as "a hotbed of jihadism" in Brussels. It was there where the perpetrators of the March 2016 Brussels bombings and some of the perpetrators of the November 2015 Paris attacks were based. Schaerbeek was the home of the taxi driver who drove the suspects to Brussels Airport.https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/belgium/12201611/Brussels-bombings-terrorist-attack-on-Belgium-airport-and-Metro-live.html Brussels attacks: 34 killed and hundreds wounded as Islamic State claims responsibility for airport and Metro bombings – live The Daily Telegraph 22 March 2016 22 March 2016 David Lawler Danny Boyle They raided the home and found a nail bomb, 15 kg 0 of acetone peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, and an ISIL flag.https://www.gva.be/cnt/dmf20160323_02198234/brusselse-broers-el-bakraoui-geidentificeerd-als-zelfmoordterroristen Eén verdachte wordt momenteel ondervraagd 23 March 2016 Gazet van Antwerpen 23 March 2016 Inside a waste container near the house they also found a computer belonging to Ibrahim El Bakraoui who is believed to have carried out suicide bombings during the attacks along with his brother.http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/brussels-attacks/brussels-attacks-el-bakraoui-brothers-were-jailed-carjackings-shootout-n544241 Brussels Attacks: El Bakraoui Brothers Were Jailed for Carjackings, Shootout NBC News 23 March 2016 23 March 2016 Alastair Jamieson Annick M'KeleProsecutors say Brussels knifeman is terror attack suspect https://www.euractiv.com/section/security/news/prosecutors-say-brussels-knifeman-is-terror-attack-suspect/ 15 June 2017 EURACTIV 6 October 2016 The stabbing came nearly two months after a similar stabbing attack in Charleroi, in which an Algerian citizen stabbed two police officers; and nearly one month after another similar attack in Molenbeek, in which a man of North African origin slightly injured two police officers.Samuel Henry Two policemen injured in Brussels stabbing in suspected terror attack https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/10/05/two-policemen-injured-in-brussels-stabbing-in-jihadi-hotbed-dist/ 5 October 2016 The Daily Telegraph 5 October 2016 At the time of the stabbing, Brussels was on a high terror alert.Suspects face terrorism charges after raids in Belgium https://www.dw.com/en/suspects-face-terrorism-charges-after-raids-in-belgium/a-36080552 11 June 2017 DW 18 November 2016 ISIS has used social media to inspire sympathizers in Western countries to target police and soldiers for attack on the grounds that they represent the state.Feds Warn of ISIS-Inspired Threat Against Police, Reporters in US http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/isis-terror/feds-warn-isis-inspired-threat-against-police-reporters-us-n224826 8 June 2017 NBC News 13 October 2014European terror attacks increasingly targeting police, security forces https://www.foxnews.com/world/european-terror-attacks-increasingly-targeting-police-security-forces 8 June 2017 Fox News 21 April 2017Timeline: How jihadists have targeted soldiers and police in France https://www.thelocal.fr/20170606/islamist-attacks-against-police-and-soldiers-in-france 8 June 2017 The Local 6 June 2017 February 3rd, 2017: A man pulled out two machetes and attacked one of the soldiers standing guard at the entrance to the underground Carrousel du Louvre shopping centre, which is next to the world famous art gallery. Soldiers tried to fight him off with close contact but were unable to contain him. They then opened fire. The attack was one of a series of attacks on Belgian police officers in 2016, including the stabbing of two officers on 7 September in Molenbeek and the 6 August 2016 stabbing of Charleroi police officers.Policières attaquées en Belgique: six interpellations AFP 30 November 2016 1844558637Liege shooting: Two police and passer-by dead in Belgium https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44289404 29 May 2018 BBC Christopher Dickey describes this attack as part of a pattern of jihadist attacks in which there have been, "many small incidents and thwarted ones, then suddenly one or two high-casualty attacks" in Europe since 2014.Dickey Christopher There Are So Many Attacks It's a Terror Blur, But Those Who Keep Track Are Very Worried https://www.thedailybeast.com/there-are-so-many-attacks-its-a-terror-blur-but-those-who-keep-track-are-very-worried 23 June 2017 Daily Beast 23 June 2017 The attack occurred as a summit of world leaders, including American Secretary of State John Kerry, met in Brussels to discuss Afghanistan.Pascaline Mary Paris Terror Attacks Anniversary: Timeline Of Violent Year For Europe http://www.ibtimes.com/paris-terror-attacks-anniversary-timeline-violent-year-europe-2443362 19 June 2017 International business Times 11 November 2016 Attack The attack reportedly occurred during an identity check on the fr Boulevard Lambermont no/nl Lambermontlaan no, a busy main road in Schaerbeek.Milan Schreuer, "2 Brussels Police Officers Are Stabbed in ‘Potential Terrorist Attack’," 5 October 2016, The New York Times, . A man, armed with a machete, lunged for two police officers; one was stabbed in the stomach and the other in the neck, but neither was seriously injured. Afterwards, the attacker fled the scene, but encountered a third officer nearby and got into a violent struggle, which resulted in Diop, a former professional boxer, slugging the officer and giving him a broken nose.Les avocats du frère d'Hicham Diop demandent sa remise en liberté http://www.7sur7.be/7s7/fr/3007/Bruxelles/article/detail/2916273/2016/10/12/Les-avocats-du-frere-d-Hicham-Diop-demandent-sa-remise-en-liberte.dhtml 11 June 2017 7Sur7 12 October 2017 The officer then shot and wounded the attacker with a single shot to the leg.https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/05/belgian-police-officers-stabbed-suspected-terror-attack-brussels-schaerbeek-neighbourhood Brussels stabbing: two police officers targeted in suspected terror attack The Guardian 5 October 2016 24 October 2016 Jennifer Rankin According to an eyewitness, the attacker shouted something in Arabic after being shot. Suspect The suspect, Hicham Diop (43), was at first identified only as Hicham D. by police and media.Dewan Angela Isaac Lindsay Two Brussels police officers stabbed in terror attack, prosecutor says https://www.cnn.com/2016/10/05/europe/belgium-brussels-stabbing/ 5 October 2016 CNN 5 October 2016 According to Belgian media, he was a 43-year-old Belgium Army veteran and former boxer who was discharged in 2009 and was previously known to policeBroers Diop verschijnen voor raadkamer https://www.nieuwsblad.be/cnt/dmf20161010_02510932 11 June 2017 Nieuws 10 October 2016Brother of suspect in Brussels police stabbings also charged http://www.roanoke.com/news/wire_headlines/brother-of-suspect-in-brussels-police-stabbings-also-charged/article_46a8292b-c8ab-5250-9fc4-b652e30573e8.html 19 October 2016 Associated Press The Roanoke TimesSeptember 2018 InternetArchiveBot yes https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-37563836 Brussels police stabbed in 'terror attack' BBC News 5 October 2016 24 October 2016Policiers agressésà Schaerbeek: la détention de Hicham D. prolongée http://www.lacapitale.be/1793455/article/2017-02-21/policiers-agressesa-schaerbeek-la-detention-de-hicham-d-prolongee 11 June 2017 Capitale 21 February 2017 and to security services for his contacts with extremist Islamists.Policiers poignardés à Schaerbeek: Hicham Diop renvoyé en correctionnelle https://www.rtbf.be/info/societe/detail_policiers-poignardes-a-schaerbeek-hicham-diop-renvoye-en-correctionnelle?id=9585406 24 June 2017 RTBF - Radio Télévision Belge de la Communauté française 20 April 2017 fr Il est par ailleurs déjà connu des services de sécurité pour ses contacts avec des extrémistes islamistes. He was also believed to have links to jihadists who traveled to Syria. A married man with young children, Diop once stood for a seat in a regional parliament, but lost the election.Dearden Lizzie Brussels police stabbing suspect served in the army and stood in local elections The Independent 8 October 2016 1826826030 His home was searched by Belgian police, which recovered no weapons. A spokesman for the federal prosecutor said there was "reason to believe that [the stabbing] is terror-related", but did not initially elaborate.https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/brussels-police-stabbing-belgium-latest-possible-terror-incident-a7346471.html https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/brussels-police-stabbing-belgium-latest-possible-terror-incident-a7346471.html 1 May 2022 subscription live Brussels police stabbing: Two officers attacked in possible terror incident in Belgium The Independent 5 October 2016 24 October 2016 Samuel Osborne Hicham D. was charged with attempted terrorism-related attempted murder and participating in a terrorist group. His 46-year-old brother, Aboubaker Diop, was also arrested and charged with participating in a terrorist group. In 2011, Aboubaker and Hicham were involved in an incident involving the official police vehicle of a security officer.Policiers poignardés à Schaerbeek: Hicham Diop poursuivi pour tentative d'assassinat dans un contexte terroriste https://www.lalibre.be/actu/belgique/policiers-poignardes-a-schaerbeek-hicham-diop-poursuivi-pour-tentative-d-assassinat-dans-un-contexte-terroriste-58f8bb0ecd70e80512f77a00 11 June 2017 La Libre 21 April 2017Policiers poignardés en Belgique : Hicham Diop reste en détention https://www.dakaractu.com/Policiers-poignardes-en-Belgique-Hicham-Diop-reste-en-detention_a121528.html 11 June 2017 Dakaractu 11 November 2016Policiers poignardés à Schaerbeek: la qualification de terrorisme abandonnée? http://www.7sur7.be/7s7/fr/3007/Bruxelles/article/detail/3132455/2017/04/13/Policiers-poignardes-a-Schaerbeek-la-qualification-de-terrorisme-abandonnee.dhtml 11 June 2017 7sur7 13 April 2017 Also in 2015, the brothers were arrested for fighting in an incident involving shots fired at a Kinepolis security guard. The defense asserted that the incident was a family quarrel relating to events that occurred years ago in Senegal. Hicham Diop stood for election on the list of an Islamist party. The brothers are part of a family that migrated to Belgium from Senegal.Hicham Diop, kick-boxeur et ex-militaire, attaque des policiers en rue à Schaerbeek (Belgique) et tente de s'emparer de l'arme de l'un des agents https://www.dakarposte.com/Hicham-Diop-kick-boxeur-et-ex-militaire-attaque-des-policiers-en-rue-a-Schaerbeek-Belgique-et-tente-de-s-emparer-de-l_a9947.html 11 June 2017 Dakar Poste Hicham was a kickboxer. Legal proceedings Hicham Diop Hicham Diop has been charged with attempted murder in a terrorist context, deliberate intentional assault, violations of arms legislation and armed rebellion.Agression de deux policiers à Schaerbeek: Hicham Diop sera jugé en correctionnelle https://www.lesoir.be/90745/article/2017-04-20/agression-de-deux-policiers-schaerbeek-hicham-diop-sera-juge-en-correctionnelle 11 June 2017 Le Soir 20 April 2017Terrorisme: procès en vue pour l'agresseur de policiers bruxellois AFP 20 April 2017 1889715867 According to Belgian police, Hicham made terrorism related statements as he was being interrogated.Le procès d'Hicham Diop plaidé en septembre prochain https://www.rtl.be/info/belgique/faits-divers/le-proces-d-hicham-diop-plaide-en-septembre-prochain-920114.aspx 12 June 2017 Agence Belga 22 May 2017 He was known to police for having been in contact with Islamic extremists. An additional set of charges was filed in June 2017 for threatening two officers with death as they transported him to the police station following his arrest for assault in October 2016.Deux policiers citent directement Hicham Diop devant le tribunal http://www.7sur7.be/7s7/fr/3007/Bruxelles/article/detail/3180683/2017/06/12/Deux-policiers-citent-directement-Hicham-Diop-devant-le-tribunal.dhtml 14 June 2017 12 June 2017Schaerbeek: deux policiers citent directement Hicham Diop devant le tribunal http://www.lacapitale.be/1861986/article/2017-06-12/schaerbeek-deux-policiers-citent-directement-hicham-diop-devant-le-tribunal 20 June 2017 La Capitale - SudPresse 12 June 2017 fr The case was filed while the Federal Prosecutor's Office is already prosecuting Hicham Diop for the acts related to his arrest last October. It will therefore be attached to the first In September 2017, a federal prosecutor asked that Diop be sentenced to 15 years' prison.https://www.rtbf.be/info/societe/detail_agression-au-couteau-contre-des-policiers-15-ans-requis-contre-hicham-diop?id=9702766 Agression au couteau contre des policiers: 15 ans requis contre Hicham Diop 7 September 2017 In April 2018, Diop was officially sentenced to 15 years for the attack.https://www.brusselstimes.com/47916/hicham-diop-sentenced-to-15-years-in-prison-for-attempted-police-assassination Hicham Diop receives 15-year prison sentence The Brussels Times April 20, 2018 August 5, 2026 Aboubaker Diop Aboubaker Diop, born in 1970, a Belgian national has been charged with "participation in the activities of a terrorist group."Agression à Bruxelles: le frère du suspect inculpé de participation à un "groupe terroriste" AFP 7 October 2016 1836724108 Reactions Belgian Interior Minister Jan Jambon tweeted a statement after the attack, expressing his support for police officers in Schaerbeek. In a speech in February 2017, Donald Trump stated that the media was not reporting on terrorist attacks. Later that day, the administration included this stabbing attack in a list of 78 attacks which the admin said were "under-reported". It was not clear what "under-reported" meant, or what criteria were used to compile the list. News organizations stated that they had indeed covered most of the incidents in the list, some of them extensively. Politifact rated Donald Trump's claim as false.Trump says terror attacks 'under-reported': Is that true? https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-38890090 11 June 2017 BBC 7 February 2017Naylor Brian White House List Contradicts Trump Claim That Terror Attacks Go Unreported https://www.npr.org/2017/02/06/513777052/trump-says-media-fail-to-report-terrorist-attacks-white-house-promises-list 11 June 2017 NPR 6 February 2017Phipps Claire The full list of Trump's 'under-reported' terror attacks – and how they were reported https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/07/full-list-of-trump-under-reported-terror-attacks-and-how-they-were-reported 11 June 2017 The Guardian 7 February 2017https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2017/feb/06/donald-trump/donald-trump-wrong-media-not-reporting-terrorism-a/ Donald Trump wrong that media is not reporting on terrorism any more Jacobson Louis Feb 6, 2017 Politifact See also Islamic terrorism in Europe Stabbing as a terrorist tactic 2016 stabbing of Charleroi police officers 2018 Liège shooting List of terrorist incidents in Belgium References Category:October 2016 crimes in Europe Category:2016 in Brussels Category:Stabbing attacks in 2016 Category:Islamic terrorism in Belgium Category:Terrorist incidents in Belgium in 2016 Category:Terrorist incidents involving knife attacks in Europe Category:Crimes against police officers in Belgium Category:Stabbing attacks in Belgium Category:Schaerbeek