Brussels' Rundown District Becomes Hotbed for Radicalism

Molenbeek, a rundown district in Brussels, has become a hotbed for radicalism following the Paris terror attacks. Belgium is known for its chocolate and beer, but it is now also becoming infamous as a recruiting ground for terrorism. Belgium has the highest number of foreign fighters who've joined the so-called Islamic State. Dozens have roots in Molenbeek. The mayor of Molenbeek said that the area has high unemployment and jihadist recruiters target young men who have few prospects and are susceptible to IS message. "They were also thugs, delinquents, ordinary delinquents but some of them had also been to jail. And after they have been, I would say, infected by jihadism, infected by this violent radicalization, by this terrorism. And so I'd say there are several factors which explain why some youth from here became jihadists," said Francoise Schepmans, mayor of Molenbeek. The ring leader of the Paris attacks, Abdelhamid Abaaoud, and three other attackers grew up in Molenbeek. They include Salah Abdeslam, who was arrested after a four-month manhunt back in his home neighborhood. The presence of a terrorist den in the heart of Brussels is a reminder that the pipeline of foreign fighters from Europe to Syria, flows both ways. And when jihadists do return they are able to hide from the authorities and plan and carry out their murderous attacks. Experts say major changes need to be made in the way intelligence agencies track jihadists returning from Syria. "The European intelligence relies too much on technology -- satellites, phone tapping, etc. Which are wonderful toys for spies. But it will not give you an insight. It will not give you a human source. To get the human source you need to have a human officer on the field. And it's only the human source who will tell you 'this man is dangerous and tomorrow he will attack somewhere in Brussels or in Paris'," said Claude Moniquet, a former French spy. Police are still searching for suspects with links to the Brussels attacks, but bringing those responsible to justice may do little to stop further radicalization. More on: http://newscontent.cctv.com/NewJsp/ne... Subscribe us on Youtube:    / @cctvvideonewsagency   CCTV+ official website: http://newscontent.cctv.com/ LinkedIn:   / cctv-news-content   Facebook:   / 756877521031964   Twitter:   / newscontentplus