Belgium to Deploy Soldiers in Capital to Address Crime 

Belgium is considering deploying soldiers on the streets of its capital, Brussels, to help fight escalating drug violence that it says has gotten out of control, Politico reported. 

There have been about 60 shootings just this year, a third of which happened over the summer and killed two people. 

Belgian Security and Home Affairs Minister Bernard Quintin described this summer’s violence as “a catastrophe,” warning that “criminal gangs are becoming increasingly brazen.” He added that a police uniform is no longer effective as a deterrent, arguing they want to deploy soldiers alongside police for their “shock effect.” 

Quintin said soldiers and police officers would be patrolling the “criminal hotspots” in the capital. 

The Council of Ministers and the legislature still need to approve the plan, which has already garnered the support of the country’s major parties, including the Reformist Movement and the New Flemish Alliance. 

Quintin also said soldiers could be deployed in other Belgian cities as well, such as the port city of Antwerp in northern Belgium, also plagued by drug-related crime. 

Brussels prosecutor Julien Moinil said that about 7,000 suspects have been arraigned in Brussels this year, with about 1,250 suspected to be drug dealers. Moinil added that “anyone in Brussels can be hit by a stray bullet.”  

Crime has skyrocketed in numerous countries in Europe, including Sweden.  

On Tuesday, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson announced that the country will lower the age of criminal responsibility, currently set at 15, due to criminal gangs recruiting increasingly younger children on social media to use as hitmen, Reuters noted. 

A government-appointed investigator recommended this year to lower the age of criminal responsibility to 14 for particularly serious crimes. 

According to official data, 93 children under 15 years old were suspected of murder, aiding and abetting murder, or attempted murder in the first six months of 2024.