Belgium: Prosecutor demands 30 years for militia suspects

The federal prosector has demanded 30 years in prison for each of the suspected terrorists currently on trial in Belgium, De Standaard reported on Wednesday.

The prosecutor, Bernard Michel, said in court on Tuesday that a lengthy sentence for anyone engaged in terrorist activities would deter people from traveling to places like Syria to join jihadist groups.

The current maximum sentence for those convicted of leading a terrorist group is 15 years.

"I want to make the punishments so that people are no longer tempted by Syria. Experience has taught us that they will never repent," he said.

The prosecutor added that there is also a danger that such people also "infect" other prisoners with their ideas while behind bars.

Belgium has been on high alert following the uncovering of a terrorist network in Verviers in January, where a number of arrests and seizures were made.

However, the suspected mastermind of the Verviers cell, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, currently remains at large, and is believed to be in Syria.