The Halle-Vilvoorde Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgium has requested prison sentences of between 2 and 10 years for three people allegedly involved in an armed attack that took place in May 2023 in the Asse region. According to the prosecutor's office, the incident is linked to a failed assassination attempt within the Albanian community. The target of the attack was a 44-year-old Albanian man who was already wanted in Albania for murder.
The incident took place on the night of May 6-7, on Frans Thiry Street in Zellik, a suburb of the Asse commune. At least eight bullet holes were found in houses and vehicles at the scene, while police collected ten shell casings of different calibers. Witnesses reported seeing two men carrying a third, injured man, into a car before fleeing on foot.
"Investigations revealed that the three perpetrators had targeted the resident of the apartment building on Frans Thiry Street, a 44-year-old Albanian wanted for murder in Albania. However, during the exchange of gunfire, one of the attackers was injured, while the 44-year-old managed to escape unharmed and immediately left the country," the prosecutor's office said.
The vehicle used by the perpetrators was found burned later that morning in the Oudenaarde area. Authorities said the suspects fled in a Porsche Cayenne with Romanian plates. Through telephone inquiries and cooperation with German authorities, this vehicle was linked to two Romanians.
"The injured man, aged 37, was transported a few hours after the incident to a hospital in the Netherlands in the Porsche Cayenne. However, he disappeared without a trace after his stay in the hospital," the prosecutor's office said.
The prosecution is now prosecuting the 37-year-old for attempted murder and is seeking a 10-year prison sentence. For the two Romanians, who allegedly helped the perpetrators, 2-year prison sentences are being sought.
