Belgian Court Grants Mohamed Bakkali Six Short Prison Leaves

Overview

• The Tribunal de l’application des peines in Brussels granted Mohamed Bakkali six prison leaves of up to 36 hours each this week, and the prison director must implement the permissions.
• The Brussels public prosecutor formally opposed the measure but has no legal right to appeal, making the tribunal’s decision definitive.
• Bakkali was convicted in France as a key logistical figure in the November 13, 2015 Paris attacks and a foiled Thalys attack and faces a merged 30-year sentence set by French authorities.
• Belgian law allows prisoners to seek certain adaptations after one third of a sentence is served, which explains the permissions and contrasts with France’s stricter timetable for terrorism cases.
• Victims’ groups and parts of Belgian politics reacted with outrage and some politicians have proposed changing the law to give prosecutors an appeal right and to better harmonize cross-border execution of terrorism sentences.