BRUSSELS (AP) – Belgian authorities have released a man, previously convicted on terror-related charges, who was stopped while speeding through the center of Brussels with a van loaded with two gas canisters.
The prosecutor’s office said Friday the man, identified only as M.A., was convicted last year and local media said he had sought to fight in Syria. Once his identity became clear to police after he was stopped for running a red light on Thursday, part of the center of Brussels was closed off during the evening rush hour.
A bomb squad found no detonator or explosives, and only one of the two gas canisters was full.
On Friday, the office said there were no reason to issue an arrest warrant now but said the investigation would continue.