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The city of Brussels is devastated by the terrorist attack which cost the lives of two Swedish supporters on Monday October 16. More details on the attacker’s journey.
The first identity photo of Abdesalem L. upon his arrival in Italy in 2011. First request for asylum, and first step in a long journey across Europe, which reveals numerous failures. A year later, with a travel permit issued by Rome, he arrived in Sweden, where he was sentenced to two years in prison for drug trafficking. The Swedish Prime Minister, Ulf Kristersson, visiting Brussels (Belgium) on Wednesday October 18, admits a failure. “This information could have been useful for the intelligence services here in Belgium”he admitted.
Gray areas
Without a regular residence permit, he was deported to Italy in 2016. Two years later, he returned to Belgium. The Italian anti-terrorist services had identified him as being radicalized, and claim to have informed Brussels. The version is contradicted by the Belgian government. “We did not know that he was on file for terrorist activities or ideas”assures the Belgian Minister of the Interior, Annelies Verlinden.
Finally, Abdesalem L. was known by the Belgian police for endangering state security and illegal human trafficking, without it being known precisely what he was accused of. He was neither convicted nor expelled, despite the order to leave the territory.