Brussels attack trial: Lengthy sentences handed down

The individuals responsible for the 2016 Brussels attacks, resulting in the death of 32 individuals, were sentenced to significant prison terms by a Belgian court on Friday.

According to the Belga news agency, six individuals who were convicted of murder and attempted murder in July have been sentenced to imprisonment for periods ranging from 20 years to life.

The largest trial in Belgian history has come to an end with the conclusion of the sentencing.

The attacks on the city’s airport and a metro station were claimed by the terrorist group known as the “Islamic State” (IS).

The verdict concludes the biggest trial ever held in Belgium.

Salah Abdeslam, a French citizen who was convicted in July, did not receive an extra prison term as he was already serving a sentence for his involvement in the 2015 Paris attacks that resulted in the death of 130 individuals.

He was the sole remaining individual from the terrorist group that attacked the Bataclan theatre and France’s national stadium.

After the mass killing, he escaped to Brussels and secluded himself in an apartment for a duration of four months. Shortly before the Brussels bombings, he was apprehended and it was discovered that he had collaborated in planning the attack.

Three individuals who were found guilty were given life sentences, whereas two others were handed prison terms of 30 and 20 years.

The trial commenced towards the conclusion of the previous year and took place with stringent security measures at the renovated former base of the NATO military alliance.

kb/wd (dpa, Reuters AFP)