The man from Lommel was arrested in De Panne on Saturday, February 11, around 5:30 p.m. According to the federal prosecutor’s office, he probably had the intention to commit an attack during the election of Miss Belgium. That election took place in the Proximus Theater in Plopsaland and eventually started with a delay of more than an hour. Peter C. was in possession of two firearms and a bulletproof vest.
The defense emphasizes that there was absolutely no question of a foiled attack. “There are zero elements that indicate that he would commit an attack,” said Master Walter Van Steenbrugge. C. would have taken the weapons with him because he had felt threatened for a long time. According to his own words, the weapons only served to protect himself. In those circumstances, according to Master Van Steenbrugge, an administrative arrest should have sufficed.
In prison, the defense had Peter C. examined by a psychiatrist and a psychologist. Their reports would show that he has been struggling with serious mental problems for some time. However, master Van Steenbrugge does not want to say anything about the precise content of their findings. C. may have felt threatened because he would suffer from paranoid delusions. In those circumstances, the defense is aiming for a forced admission.
Peter C. was arrested on Sunday by the Bruges investigating judge on suspicion of attempted terrorist murder. The council chamber was supposed to rule on Friday morning about the possible extension of his detention, but the hearing was eventually postponed. After all, the intention is to first submit the reports of the defense experts to the court psychiatrist. He has already examined him in prison.