Rachid Belkacem (1973 – July 5, 2006) was a Dutch national, and a suspected member of the terrorist organisation Hofstad Network. He was never convicted in court. His nickname was Abu Fadel, he was a friend of Mohammed Bouyeri, the murderer of Dutch filmmaker Theo van Gogh.

Belkacem was arrested in Whitechapel, London on 22 June 2005 on request of the Dutch authorities. Belkacems name arose in an investigation about people smuggling in the Dutch province of Zeeland. He was extradited on 2 August 2005. He was charged with being a member of a terrorist organisation. In addition he was charged with recruiting for armed struggle, several firearms offences and forging documents. Belkacem allegedly helped Redouan al-Issar, spiritual leader of the Hofstad Network, flee the Netherlands on the day of the murder of Theo van Gogh.

Rachid Belkacem

Belkacem was released provisionally in March 2006, because the public prosecutor deemed an eventual conviction for membership of a terrorist organisation highly unlikely. In April he was acquitted of the illegal possession of a firearm.

Rachid Belkacem

In July 2006, Belkacem was found dead in his house in Zierikzee. Friends and family claimed he was poisoned. Police investigated the circumstances of his death.

Rachid Belkacem

In August 2008, Belkacem's mother was remarried to his then significant other.

References

Dutch Islamists

Islamic terrorism in the Netherlands

Hofstad Network

Dutch people of Moroccan descent

Dutch prisoners and detainees

Prisoners and detainees of the Netherlands

Muslims with branch missing

2006 deaths

1973 births

People extradited from the United Kingdom

People extradited to the Netherlands

People imprisoned on charges of terrorism