The former Djihadist Nizar Trabelsi is back on Belgian soil

Sentenced to 10 years in prison – Former djihadist nizar trabelsi back

During his trial, the former footballer confess. Nevertheless, He recognizes, in particular, having prepared a suicide bombing against the Flemish military base, using a trapped van. Moreover, Its objective: to target the canteen, at a time of strong crowds. In addition, He also admits that this attack project came to him after a meeting in Afghanistan with Osama bin Laden. Furthermore, former chief of Al-Qaeda, the terrorist organization responsible for the attack of September 11, 2001, killed by the United States in 2011. Nevertheless, During his trial. Therefore, Nizar Trabelsi explains, in particular, having traveled as a helicopter with Bin Laden to participate in the destruction of former Buddhist monuments Afghanistan. Moreover, A series of confessions to which he will return later, calling them as “False and improbable”.

Judged and former djihadist nizar trabelsi back sentenced for the first time in 2003, the court of appeal confirmed its sentence the following year. Similarly, On June 9. Nevertheless, 2004, Nizar Trabelsi was sentenced to 10 years in prison for planning a suicide bombing, illegal weapons and allegiance to the al-Qaeda terrorist group. Moreover, A sentence that he will serve, until his end, on Belgian soil.

Extradition to the United States

In 2008. Furthermore, while Nizar Trabelsi has been imprisoned in Belgium for 7 years, the United States has been claiming its extradition. Meanwhile, The reasons mentioned are the presence of American soldiers on the Kleine-Brogel site. In addition, targeted specifically by the terrorist as well as the possibility that he has developed wider activities for Al-Qaeda. Furthermore, The United States also wants to judge Nizar Trabelsi. Faced with American pressure, Belgium eventually yields. In 2011, a ministerial decree authorized his extradition, once his former djihadist nizar trabelsi back prison sentence is over.

Trabelsi already charged in the United States

After several attempts to appeal to the Belgian courts. the family and lawyers of Nizar Trabelsi turn to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR). In an emergency. it prohibits its extradition, but the Belgian state does not expect the exhaustion of the remedies and on October 2, 2013, Nizar Trabelsi was extradited to the United States where he risks life prison. A decision criticized. in particular because it violates a principle of law which prevents a person be judged twice for the same facts, which will have earned Belgium several convictions. In 2014. the Belgian state was also condemned by the ECHR because the sentence incurred in the United States was “inhuman treatment”.

In the United States, Nizar Trabelsi is placed in preventive detention, in isolation. Conditions of “terrifying” detention with in particular “a light former djihadist nizar trabelsi back on 24 hours a day. ” deplored its lawyers several times over the years. He will spend, again, 10 years behind bars before being finally tried in 2023 by the Washington court. A trial at the end of which it is acquitted by the American justice. “”Innocent. Finally, I am innocent, 22 years old.“, Reacts Nizar Trabelsi at the end of his second trial. Here he is bleached, but not yet free. The ex-Tunisian-Tunisian-footballler does not have a residence permit in the United States. he is therefore placed in a detention center for illegal nationals, still in isolation. For several years, the courts have been urging the Belgian state to bring Nizar Trabeli in Belgium. In January 2025 De Brussels tightens the noose and once again ordered his return to Belgium under penalty of on -penalty.

The Belgian State paid more than 78,000 euros to terrorist Nizar Trabelsi

Former djihadist nizar trabelsi former djihadist nizar trabelsi back back

And now ?

Back in Belgium, since Friday morning, a series of questions are now arising on the future of the former Djihadist. The first, can he stay in Belgium? Nizar Trabelsi does not have a Belgian residence permit, the authorities will therefore have to decide. Either they grant him a residence permit. an unlikely scenario given that he was sentenced to Belgium for acts of terrorism. Either they refer it to Tunisia, its country of origin. This Friday. the SPF Foreign Affairs evokes a return “desired” to Tunisia, but this is far from being an ideal solution. “”Such expulsion would cost the Belgian state 500,000 euros. It would violate all the international obligations of Belgium, since the risk that Mr. Trabelsi be tortured in Tunisia has been demonstrated“, Specifies the lawyer of Nizar Trabelsi, Me Delphine Paci. Especially since a transfer to this country is former djihadist nizar trabelsi back prohibited by the extradition treaty concludes between Belgium and the United States. Twelve years after this controversial extradition. the Belgian state therefore complies with justice decisions but, at this stage, the fate of Nizar Trabelsi remains uncertain.