Arrested an individual who allegedly planned to attack the Miss Belgium contest

12 Feb. () –

The Belgian Prosecutor’s Office has announced the arrest of an individual who allegedly planned to attack the Miss Belgium contest, held this past Saturday.

The arrest of the suspect, identified as Peter C. and born in 1976, took place at around 5:30 p.m. on Saturday in the coastal municipality of De Panne, in the west of the country.

Peter C. was arrested in possession of a firearm and a bulletproof vest, the latter in his vehicle, shortly before he was to drive to the Plopsaland theme park, the regular venue for the contest.

The individual was accompanied by a Dutch woman. Neither Peter C.’s motives have been clarified nor is it known if the woman was aware of his plans, according to the statement.

The case is in the hands of a West Flanders district magistrate, who will decide on Monday whether to initiate legal proceedings against both.

The Belgian public broadcaster RTBF has confirmed that the contest’s security services were made aware of the threat, so the contest was delayed a bit while the Police began a search of the place.

“We have even looked at the winner’s throne,” confirmed the president of the Miss Belgium national committee, Darline Devos. The gala happened without major incidents.