Brussels Attacks Update: Guard of Belgian Nuclear Site Killed; Death Investigated For Possible Link To Terrorism

By Jenn Loro - 27 Mar '16 11:34AM

A reported nuclear breach has compounded fears over the safety of Belgium's nuclear facilities and the extent of ISIS-linked terror networks at the heartland of Europe. Recently, a security guard at a nuclear research facility was killed just two days after the shocking Brussels bombing that killed 31 people and injured more.

The victim was identified as 45-year-old Didier Prospero who was shot to death at his residence in the Froidchapelle district of Brussels following the stripping nuclear plant workers of their security passes by the government less than 24 hours earlier.

"He was killed at gunpoint at his home. All indications are that it has nothing to do with his work, from what we understand. There is no missing pass. All his uniform and his papers are accounted for. G4S are co-operating with the police investigation," a spokesman for G4S (Prospero's security firm) said as quoted by The Telegraph.

The circumstances of his death fueled speculations on unconfirmed reports of the murder's link to terrorism. News of his murder surfaced just as investigative authorities told the public that they have formally charged three people with their connection to the recent suicide bombing attack according to a report by Reuters.

In another development, Belgian security services feared that important knowledge about Belgium's nuclear sites may have been passed on to radical jihadist group ISIS after it was revealed that two of Doel nuclear plant employees appeared to have already left Europe for Syria in order to join the terrorist organization.

As reported by Daily Mail, a much larger ISIS plot to attack nuclear facilities and release radioactive materials into the air may be a work in progress with the recent turn of events.

Because of the surprising events in Belgium, security experts have urged for a re-assessment or a rethink of Belgium's security paradigm.

"We increasingly realize that we have to think about the people who work at facilities and attacks from on site or off site. The nature of threats is becoming more supple and complex. The way security is managed now has got to change," remarked nuclear security expert Roger Howsley as quoted by The Washington Post.