500 remember Jewish Museum attack victims

A year to the day since a terrorist gunman carried out an attack on the Jewish Museum in Brussels, around 500 people gathered on Sunday for a remembrance ceremony for the four people that died as a result of the attack. Among those at the ceremony were Prime Minister Charles Michel (Francophone liberal), the Justice Minister Koen Geens (Flemish Christian democrat).

On 24 May 2014 the French Islamist terrorist Mehdi Nemmouche shot two visitors to the museum and two members of staff. Three of those shot died at the scene a fourth victim died several days later in hospital.

Six days after the shooting, Mehdi Nemmouche was detained in the southern French city of Marseille. He was later extradited from France to Belgium where he has been charged with “murder in a terrorist context”.

A second man suspected of involvement in the attack has also been detained. A third suspect is still being sought by police.

The Jewish Organisations of Belgium’s Coordination Committee organised the civil ceremony with speeches from the Mayor of Brussels Yvan Mayeur (Francophone socialist) and the Committee’s Chairman Serge Rozen.

After the speech plaque remembering the victims was also unveiled. A religious remembrance ceremony will be held in the Great Synagogue in Brussels on 1 June.

Speaking after the ceremony, Prime Minister Charles Michel told journalists that the Federal Government remains determined its defence of our fundamental values and our security. Mr Michel added that the government would continue to take measures to this end.
 

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