Mohamed Bakkali, coordinator of the 2015 Paris attacks that killed 132 people, could be released from prison before 2035. The reason: he is serving his sentence in Belgium, where parole laws are more flexible than in France. Victims and French authorities are concerned about this legal disparity.
The Belgian judicial system as a security flaw in the EU ⚖️
The legal difference between France and Belgium reveals a coordination problem in the European Union. France imposes a minimum of 30 years for terrorism crimes; Belgium allows sentence review after 15 years. Bakkali, sentenced in 2022, could be eligible for parole in 2030. This gap between jurisdictions creates an unresolved security risk in the Schengen area.
Bakkali: the first prisoner with a European tourist GPS 🧇
Everything suggests Bakkali will be released before French bread from a bakery on strike. Meanwhile, victims wonder if Belgian parole includes a VIP pass for the Paris metro. At least, if he escapes, he can enjoy Belgian waffles before being extradited back to the land of the croissant.