Belgian Justice Minister Resigns Over Failed Extradition of Tunisian Shooter

Belgian Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne steps down amidst criticism of Belgium's handling of the case of a Tunisian national who, despite having an extradition request and being denied asylum, remained in the country illegally and later killed two football fans.

Belgian Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne has resigned following an extradition oversight that resulted in a Tunisian national, who was denied asylum and had an active extradition request, remaining in Belgium illegally and killing two football fans.
The Tunisian suspect, a 45-year old self-proclaimed member of the Islamic State group, was known to the Belgian authorities for his connection to human trafficking, and also lodged asylum applications in Norway, Sweden, and Italy, along with Belgium.
The failure to extradite the Tunisian individual, who was requested by Tunisia for extradition in August 2022, is being termed as an 'unacceptable error' by the Minister, blaming it on the magistrate who failed to act on the demand.
Despite being ordered for deportation after his asylum application was rejected in Belgium in 2020, the suspect could not be located as authorities failed to find an address for him, allowing him to stay in the country illegally.
The incident has reignited the debate in Belgium over its judicial and administrative system's abilities to efficiently handle matters related to radicalized persons, leading to increased scrutiny and criticism.