- Local Name: N/a
- Transliteration: N/a
- Alternatives: Resto du Tawhid Network
- Status: 2010 (Dormant since 2013)
- Conflicts: European Islamist Militancy, Syrian Civil War
The Jean-Louis Denis Network [JLDN] is a shadowy jihadi entity from northern Brussels. For years, it was openly engaged in radical Salafi activism. At the same time, the network was also secretly involved in jihadi ventures. In recent years, dozens of its members have joined the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant [DaIISh; Dawlat al-Islamiya fi-Iraq wal ash-Sham].1
The JLDN was formed around 2008 when charismatic Belgian convert Jean-Louis Denis began preaching.2 He railed against Belgium’s democratic system and incited hatred against non-Muslims.3 Denis attracted a following which over time evolved into an informal network of radicals. His supporters distributed videos of Denis’ sermons and other propaganda materials on the internet.4 Denis mainly acted as the network’s spiritual leader. Other operatives such as Mohammed Khemir and Mickäel Devredt also wielded considerable power over the JLDN.5
In the early 2010s, Denis and his followers took on a more militant profile. They started to identify with foreign jihadi causes and began developing contacts with notorious jihadis in the Brussels’ suburb of Molenbeek, including Khalid Zerkani. Over time, linkages between the JLDN and the Khalid Zerkani Network [KZN] grew very close. Eventually, both networks shared many of their members.6
In 2012, Denis and his associates also developed ties to the Antwerp-based Shari’a for Belgium Movement [Sh4B]. They reinforced Sh4B members during spring 2012 Islamist riots in Molenbeek.7 Some cadres of Sh4B later joined the JLDN.8
Denis and his followers formed the Resto du Tawhid charitable organization in September 2012 to distribute food to needy Muslims in northern Brussels.9 The charity actively proselytized among the poor it helped. At the distributions, JLDN operatives openly advocated jihad.10
Around the same time, the first members of the network started traveling to Syria to fight alongside the jihadis.11 The JLDN cooperated closely with the KZN and notorious jihadi Abelkader el-Farssaoui to facilitate the travel of its fighters.12
Recognizing that the Resto du Tawhid charity was a front for the JLDN’s jihadi activities, local authorities halted its activities in April 2013.13 The Belgian government also started cracking down on the JLDN following the much-publicized departure for Syria by two high-school students recruited by Denis.14 Police raided several locations associated with the JLDN across the Belgian capital on Dec. 09, 2013.15 Denis and Khemir were arrested during the operations.16 In February 2014, Devredt was also apprehended by the security forces. By the time that the network’s leaders were arrested, dozens of their followers had already traveled to Syria.17
Denis, Devredt, Khemir and other members of the JLDN were brought to court in late 2015.18 In January 2016, Denis was sentenced to ten years in prison for having led a terrorist organization.19 Other senior network operatives were also ordered to jail.20 An appeals court reduced the sentences of the JLDN leaders in November 2016.21
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