Syrian Refugee Sentenced To 5 Years In Belgium For Terrorist Attack Plot - Reports

The Charleroi municipality court in Belgium has sentenced a Syrian refugee to five years in prison for plotting a terrorist attack in the country, local media reported on Thursday

BRUSSELS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 17th January, 2019) The Charleroi municipality court in Belgium has sentenced a Syrian refugee to five years in prison for plotting a terrorist attack in the country, local media reported on Thursday.

According to the broadcaster RTBF, the refugee, a resident of the Belgian city of Mouscron, was arrested in January 2018 after he tested a self-made explosive device at his home.

Belgian law enforcement had been monitoring the Syrian refugee since the CIA informed them about the suspect's ties with the Islamic State terrorist organization (banned in Russia), the broadcaster added.

In 2017, the European Union adopted a new set of rules on how to prevent terrorist attacks. In November 2018, however, 16 EU member states, including Belgium, were sent a formal notice from the European Commission for failing to comply with the EU regulations on terrorism. The countries were given two months to bring their national laws in line with the EU rules.