An explosion, which caused no injuries, took place in the early hours of Sunday to Monday in front of a synagogue in the Belgian city of Liege (southeast), local authorities reported this Monday.
“We cannot accept importing external conflicts into our city,” declared the town’s mayor, from the Socialist Party. The councilor has confirmed that this is “an extremely violent act of anti-Semitism, contrary to the Liege tradition of respect for others.”
The explosion occurred shortly before 4:00 a.m. local time on Monday on Léon Frédéricq Street and is of criminal origin, according to the mayor, who indicated that the only thing to regret is material damage such as broken glass in nearby buildings.
The windows of the buildings opposite were also blown out, but nothing more. The street remains closed while the investigation is carried out and a perimeter has been established in the vicinity, according to police reports to local media such as .
The synagogue, built in 1899, is also a museum presenting various objects of worship and the history of Liège’s Jewish community, according to its website.
Members of the terrorism division of the Federal Judicial Police of Liège are investigating the events, waiting for those responsible from the Prosecutor’s Office to attend. It is his investigators from the terrorism division who have kept the case, initially.
The Belgian Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal Service (SEDEE) is on its way to Liège, although for now there is no suspicion of new devices, reports .
Belgium is in a sensitive moment, since next March 22 marks exactly ten years since the terrorist attacks that left 35 dead and more than 400 injured both in the Brussels metro (the capital) and at Zaventem airport. An anniversary that will be commemorated with important events sponsored by local authorities, the European Commission and municipal transport services.
