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Anti-terrorist op in Brussels shopping mall after bomb threat 2 metro stations evacuated in Brussels after bomb scare - reports
(35 minutes later)
A suspect has been arrested following a bomb alert in a shopping mall in the center of Brussels, local media reported. Prime Minister Charles Michel told RTL the situation is “very suspicious” and called for a meeting of the National Security Council.A suspect has been arrested following a bomb alert in a shopping mall in the center of Brussels, local media reported. Prime Minister Charles Michel told RTL the situation is “very suspicious” and called for a meeting of the National Security Council.
The incident happened at the City2 Shopping Mall in the heart of the Belgian capital, local media said, adding that it was a bomb alert. The area was cordoned off and emergency services along with sappers arrived at the scene.
The police were notified at 5.30am “of a suspicious situation," said Ilse Van de Keere, spokeswoman for the Brussels-Ixelles police. "A security perimeter was established and the SEDEE unit [Belgian armed forces] is at the site. The operations are still ongoing.”
The incident took place in the City2 Shopping Mall in the heart of the Belgian capital, local media said, adding that it was a bomb alert. The area was cordoned off and emergency services arrived at the scene.
The police were notified at 5.30am “of a suspicious situation," said Ilse Van de Keere, spokeswoman for the Brussels-Ixelles police. "A security perimeter was established and the SEDEE unit [Belgian armed forces] is at the site. The operations are still ongoing.”
Traffic at the nearby Jardin Botanique Boulevard was blocked as well as at Rogier metro station.Traffic at the nearby Jardin Botanique Boulevard was blocked as well as at Rogier metro station.
Media reported that a male suspect wearing an explosive belt was arrested on the spot. Initially, a spokeswoman for the Brussels prosecutor said the man “arrested at 5.30 this morning” was “possibly in possession of explosives.”
"A man was arrested at 5.30 this morning, possibly in possession of explosives. The Army’s bomb disposal team is verifying whether this is the case," a spokeswoman for the Brussels prosecutor said, as cited by Reuters. Later Reuters cited a Belgian security source as saying that no explosives were found on the suspect. However, later RTL prosecutors said sappers found no explosives in the building and the belt turned out to be a fake.
The Belgian security source confirmed to Reuters that no explosives were found on the suspect. Similar information appeared in the Flemish-language VTM Nieuws newspaper.
Belgian media also reported that another suspect has been arrested in the Brussels area of Shaerbeek.Belgian media also reported that another suspect has been arrested in the Brussels area of Shaerbeek.
Prime Minister Charles Michel, due to speak on an RTL program, canceled the engagement, saying the situation “was very suspicious.” Soon after that, Schuman and De Brouckere stations in the Belgian capital were evacuated, locals reported on Twitter. Schuman serves the European quarter of Brussels and is located near EU buildings.
Prime Minister Charles Michel, who was due to speak on an RTL program, canceled the engagement, saying the situation “was very suspicious.”
After a meeting of the National Security Council, Michel told journalists “the situation is currently under control.” He added that security services “remain extremely vigilant.”
Brussels has been on high alert since twin suicide bombings hit Zaventem Airport and Maelbeek metro station on March 22. The station is near the buildings of the EU Commission and the Council of the European Union, as well as NATO’s headquarters.Brussels has been on high alert since twin suicide bombings hit Zaventem Airport and Maelbeek metro station on March 22. The station is near the buildings of the EU Commission and the Council of the European Union, as well as NATO’s headquarters.
Earlier in June, reports emerged that Belgium’s capital may once again see terror attacks beginning this month. Extremists may target schools, hospitals and public places, where people gather for Euro-2016 related events, during the Islamic Ramadan holiday.Earlier in June, reports emerged that Belgium’s capital may once again see terror attacks beginning this month. Extremists may target schools, hospitals and public places, where people gather for Euro-2016 related events, during the Islamic Ramadan holiday.
READ MORE: 3 Belgians charged with attempting to commit terror acts after overnight raidsREAD MORE: 3 Belgians charged with attempting to commit terror acts after overnight raids
Numerous raids have been conducted in the mainly Muslim Molenbeek area of Brussels, which is often referred to as an “Islamist hotspot.” Many of the suspects involved in the Paris attacks grew up and lived in Molenbeek, including terror mastermind Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the Abdeslam brothers, and Mohamed Abrini, who was also involved in the Brussels attacks. Numerous raids have been conducted in the mainly Muslim Molenbeek area of Brussels, which is often referred to as an “Islamist hotspot.” Many of the suspects involved in the Paris attacks grew up and lived in Molenbeek, including terror mastermind Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the Abdeslam brothers, and Mohamed Abrini, who was also involved in the Brussels attacks. 
On Friday, at least 12 people were arrested during anti-terrorist operations across Belgium on suspicion of plotting attacks. Three of the suspects have been charged with attempting to commit terrorist acts, while nine were released.On Friday, at least 12 people were arrested during anti-terrorist operations across Belgium on suspicion of plotting attacks. Three of the suspects have been charged with attempting to commit terrorist acts, while nine were released.
Reports surfaced that a detained suspect worked at Zaventem Airport and had previously contacted one of the Brussels’ suicide bombers.Reports surfaced that a detained suspect worked at Zaventem Airport and had previously contacted one of the Brussels’ suicide bombers.