Missiles thrown at police in Molenbeek by Salah Abdeslam ‘supporters’
From The Express
TENSE scenes have broken out between locals and security forces in Molenbeek following the arrest of Salah Abdeslam with some residents reportedly “praising” the evil Paris terrorist. Riot police were called in to disperse the crowds who gathered in the Brussels suburb after missiles were thrown at the Belgian authorities.
Tensions were sparked after young people from the troubled area started declaring their support for their “hero” Abdeslam, according to a witness. An eyewitness posted on Twitter: “Great tension in Molenbeek with young people from the area praising their ‘hero’ Salah Abdeslam.”
Police officers were targeted by locals, many of which were young people, who threw objects including bottles, according Belgian newspaper La Libre.
Video footage of the incident shows large crowds in the road where the dramatic terror raid took place, with shouts heard before objects are thrown at officers. Other journalists at the scene confirmed the tense scenes, with officers using police dogs to get people to leave the area. Stones were also reportedly thrown at police, according to French media.
The presence of riot police at the scene suggests authorities were concerned about potential riots, according to some Belgian media.
The authorities had the tough task of managing the tense and nervous atmosphere among locals on the streets while a dramatic raid was still underway.
Many Molenbeek residents, particularly young people, are suspicious and hostile towards authorities, who they believe are infringing their liberty with patrols and surveillance. Earlier this year clashes broke out between young people and soldiers who were patrolling a metro station in Molenbeek, according to Belgian media.
Several of the Paris attackers, including Abdeslam and ringleader Abdelhamid Abaaoud, came from the troubled area which has been dubbed Europe’s ‘jihadi haven’. . . up to 80 per cent Muslim,