A manhunt has been launched to find a heavily armed rogue soldier on the run after threatening one of Belgium’s top scientists.
Trained marksman Jurgen Conings, 46, fled his home near the Dutch border after taking weapons from his barracks.
The soldier – dubbed ‘the Belgian Rambo’ – is said to have made threats towards Marc Van Ranst, 55.
The virologist led the country’s public health response to the coronavirus pandemic and has advocated vaccination.
Conings, who is said to have far-right tendencies, is thought to be hiding in the north-eastern part of Belgium.
Hundreds of special forces soldiers have been deployed to try and find the wanted man, who is described as highly dangerous.
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(Image: BELGIAN FEDERAL POLICE/AFP via G)
His vehicle was found on Tuesday night containing four missile launchers.
It has been reported that Conings also stole a pistol and an FN P90 – capable of firing rounds that can pierce bulletproof vests.
“There are indications that he is violent and, in the last 24 hours, evidence has emerged that the man poses an acute threat,” Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne told VTM Nieuws.
(Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Mosques, schools and roads were remain closed in Belgium on Thursday the search entered its third day.
Armed soldiers are also on alert in the Netherlands and Germany in case Conings manages to cross the border.
He is described as potentially lethal due to his experience during operations in extreme conditions including Afghanistan and Iraq.
Conings’ Twitter profile says he is a “Belgian Air Force soldier who likes fitness, body building and boxing”.
(Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
A wanted appeal put out by the Belgian Federal Police describes Conings as having a “muscular build”, “bald” and possibly “in possession of firearms”.
Anyone who spots the soldier is urged to contact the force “without delay”.
Belgian newspaper Le Soir said residents reported hearing gunshots in Limbourg Nature Park on Thursday, where a search is being carried out.
Hoge Kempen National Park has also been closed while authorities comb for clues.
(Image: REUTERS)
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Conings is said to have left letters indicating he is prepared for a deadly battle with police and “could no longer live in a society where politicians and virologists have taken everything away from us”.
It has also been reported that he warned “would join the resistance and would not surrender”.
Mr Van Rast and his family have been taken to a safe place while the situation unfolds.
He wrote on Twitter: “Being against health measures and vaccines and against the coronavirus too often coincides with a glorification of violence and brutal racism…Let one thing be clear: such threats do not impress me.”
(Image: Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Questions have also been raised after it was revealed that Conings was on a watch-list containing the names of potential far-right terrorists.
His girlfriend told local press that he was always supportive to his family and friends and enjoyed “cuddles”.
It is unclear what tipped him over the edge though he had been reprimanded by the army for “racist” comments in online chat groups and had been demoted to a training job that no longer involved missions abroad.
In the note he sent to his girlfriend, sent by email, he said he could not stand the restrictions under which he had been placed