Six students arrested in Hasselt over TikTok threats to attack school with chemicals and fire
Six students at a Hasselt school were arrested in mid-June after police uncovered a TikTok group where they threatened arson and a chemical attack against the school and its management.
The threats
Several members of a school's management team in Hasselt alerted police a few weeks ago after discovering a TikTok group. The chat contained threats of arson and an attack using chemical substances against the school and its directors. The group also referenced school shootings, extremist organisations and other violent incidents from the past.
Swift police response
The public prosecutor's office and the Limburg Regio Hoofdstad police zone launched an urgent investigation the same day. With help from internet service providers, they identified the anonymous members within 24 hours. All six suspects were pupils at the targeted school and were arrested on suspicion of threatening an attack.
The speed with which we acted may have prevented something worse from happening. The public prosecutor's office issued the necessary warrants very quickly, enabling us to act swiftly.
- School management reports TikTok threats to police
- Urgent investigation launched with internet providers
- Six minors identified and arrested within 24 hours
- Suspects appear before juvenile judges in Hasselt and Tongeren
Court appearances
The minors have since appeared before juvenile judges in Hasselt and Tongeren. The investigation continues under the direction of the public prosecutor's office, with the youth crime unit handling the case. The school's name and the suspects' ages have not been released.
Warning to youth
Both police and prosecutors stressed that online threats are taken extremely seriously. They urged young people to be mindful of the groups they join and to report extremist content.
Young people need to be very aware of which online groups they join. Posting extremist messages and threats is absolutely unacceptable and will be met with appropriate consequences by police and the justice system.
