Belgium arrests Islamist for hate video after riot

BRUSSELS: The leader of a Belgian Islamist group, Sharia4Belgium, was arrested on Thursday for posting an Internet video urging attacks on non-Muslims after a woman was detained in Brussels for wearing a face veil.
Fouad Belkacem, also known as Abu Imran, was detained at his home in the northern Belgian city of Antwerp and remanded in custody on suspicion of breaking anti-discrimination laws and inciting violence.
“He posted a video message on YouTube in which he called on his brothers and sisters to fight against non-believers,” said a spokesman for the Antwerp prosecutor.
Last week protesters threw metal barriers and bins at a police station following the arrest of a Muslim woman for refusing to remove her face veil.
Women in Belgium risk a maximum fine of 150 euros ($190) if they wear a full face veil in public. Belgium and France banned the wearing of full veils in public last year.
In an e-mailed statement, Sharia4Belgium said: “The arrest of Abu Imran will bring more people to our side.”
Belkacem is due to appear in court next week.