Kalashnikov Suspect at Brussels Station Denies Criminal Ties

A 23-year-old man arrested last week with a loaded Kalashnikov rifle at Brussels South Station appeared before the Chamber of Council on Wednesday, where his lawyer argued the weapon was found “accidentally” in a bag stolen during a move, according to VRT NWS. The suspect, identified as Nabil S., a Moroccan national living in the Lille region of France, denies any connection to a criminal organization.

The Arrest

Customs officers at Brussels South Station spotted the man on September 3 showing visible signs of nervousness while carrying a heavy bag. Upon inspection, they discovered a loaded Kalashnikov rifle with 30 cartridges hidden beneath baby clothes. The suspect had just arrived by train from France and was intercepted by a mixed patrol of police and military personnel, as VRT NWS reported.

Minister of Interior Bernard Quintin confirmed the arrest and praised the effectiveness of the joint police-military patrols that have been deployed in Brussels stations since April.

The Defense’s Account

Speaking outside the courtroom on Wednesday, the suspect’s lawyer, Me Benoit Lemal, offered an explanation for how his client came into possession of the weapon.

“My client came into possession of the weapon in the Lille region,” Lemal said. “During a move, he saw an unguarded open car. He took advantage of it to steal a bag from the vehicle. To his great surprise, he found a weapon in it.”

According to Lemal, the suspect then decided to travel to Belgium with the intention of selling the weapon. “He had heard through word of mouth that such a weapon could be easily sold here and that he could make money that way,” the lawyer explained. “He is therefore not part of a criminal organization, as the prosecutor’s office claims.”

Lemal stated he did not request his client’s release, deferring instead to the judgment of the court. The Chamber of Council was expected to rule on the continuation of both suspects’ detention later in the day.

Second Suspect Arrested

A second suspect, identified as Floriant T.M., was arrested on the night of September 3 on the Industrielaan in Anderlecht while sitting in a car. His suspicious behavior was detected through the station’s video surveillance system shortly after the first arrest, as La Libre reported.

His lawyer, Me Mustapha El Hajjami, told the court that his client denies the prosecutor’s claim that he is part of a criminal organization active in arms trafficking. El Hajjami requested electronic monitoring for his client.

Both suspects face charges of membership in a criminal organization and illegal possession of a weapon. The first suspect was in Belgium illegally at the time of his arrest.

Broader Security Context

The incident comes at a time of heightened security concerns in Brussels. In late August, Interior Minister Quintin declared the city’s drug-related violence a “national emergency” following a surge in shootings and gang activity. The Brussels South Station area, known as the Midi zone, sits at the heart of the capital’s narcotraffic concerns.

The successful interception has been cited by Quintin as validation for the government’s decision to deploy 45 military personnel in mixed patrols with police across Brussels train and metro stations, a program that began in April. As BRUZZ reported, the deployment was initially planned for six months with an evaluation scheduled after that period.

However, questions have been raised about the effectiveness of surveillance infrastructure in the area. Nearly 20 percent of the 213 video surveillance cameras in the Midi police zone were reported out of service, according to RTL Info. Saint-Gilles Mayor Jean Spinette expressed frustration, noting that “two years to get a camera is just not possible” while criminal organizations “are having a field day.”

What’s Next

The Chamber of Council’s decision on both suspects’ continued detention will be a key indicator of how the prosecution’s case is progressing. The defense’s narrative of an “accidental” weapon acquisition will be tested against the prosecution’s claim of organized criminal involvement, and the broader investigation may reveal more about potential arms trafficking networks operating between France and Belgium.

The case also highlights the ongoing challenge of illegal weapons trafficking through major European transport hubs, even as authorities work to strengthen security measures in response to escalating urban violence in the Belgian capital.