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NOT ALLOWED All of Belgium

Is it a crime to post something on social media that glorifies a terrorist attack or calls for support for a terrorist organisation?

In short

Yes, it can be. Publicly glorifying or justifying terrorist offences, or encouraging others to commit them, is a crime if it is done with that intention and creates a serious risk that a new offence will be committed (level 3–4). Knowingly supporting a terrorist group is also a crime.

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Video transcript

After a terrorist attack, posts glorifying it are going round on social media. You're about to write: 'They were right.' Not allowed: Publicly glorifying or justifying a terrorist offence, or encouraging one, is a crime if it creates a serious risk of a new offence: level 3–4. The right way: Don't glorify violence or share such posts. Don't give a terrorist group information, money or materials. Expressing your views peacefully is allowed. Consequences (Level 3 – 4 offence): Glorifying, encouraging: 3 – 10 years prison; Aimed at children: 10 – 15 years prison; Supporting a group: 5 – 10 years prison.

What is not allowed, what is required?

  • Publicly denying, grossly trivialising, trying to justify or approving a terrorist offence is the crime of glorification of terrorism (Criminal Code art. 376). It must be done with that intention and create a serious risk that a new offence will be committed.
  • Spreading a message that encourages a terrorist offence is also a crime under the same conditions (art. 376); the penalty is level 3 or 4, or level 5 if the message is specifically aimed at children (art. 377). Recruiting someone to commit a terrorist offence or to join a terrorist group is a separate crime (art. 378, level 4).
  • Taking part in the activities of a terrorist group, or providing it with information, materials or money, when you know or should know that this could help the group commit an offence, is a crime (art. 373, level 4). Knowingly providing or collecting money, information or materials for a terrorist offence is also a crime (art. 385).
  • Leaving or entering Belgium in order to commit or contribute to a terrorist offence is also a crime (art. 382, level 4).
  • An organisation whose aims are purely political, trade-union, religious, philosophical or charitable is not a terrorist group for that reason alone (art. 372). Freedom of expression, association and protest remains protected (art. 388).

Penalty and indirect consequences

PENALTY NOTICECriminal Code, level 3
Fine / payment
For these offences, the main penalty is prison; if there are mitigating circumstances, the judge can impose a lower-level penalty.

Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36

Court / prison
Glorifying or encouraging: level 3 (3 – 5 years) or level 4 (5 – 10 years in prison). Aimed at children: level 5, 10 – 15 years in prison.

Legal basis:Strafwetboek (W 29.2.2024) Boek I, art. 36

What does this level mean? Criminal Code, level 3: 3 – 5 years in prison. All penalty levels →

What really matters: the indirect consequences

What do these terms mean?

Criminal record
The state register of convictions handed down by a court. The extract asked for a job, residence or nationality application comes from it. Municipal GAS fines are not entered in it.

All terms: glossary →

Why does this rule exist?

Terrorist attacks cost innocent lives. The rule aims to stop the propaganda and support networks that push people towards violence, while still protecting freedom of expression.

Where can you go?

  • Free first-line legal advice and pro deo lawyerA free or low-cost lawyer if your income is low
  • Justice HouseInformation and support for victims, accused people and convicted people (Justitiehuis / Maison de justice)
  • Emergency112 · Police 101
  • Social interpreterAt the municipality, the OCMW/CPAS, school and hospital, you can ask for an interpreter in your language; it is often free.

This site does not handle individual cases; it points you to the right service. All help addresses

Source and reliability

Official source
Source check
16 / 16 statements in an official source
Checked: 02.11.2026
Last checked
22.10.2026
Rules can change
Show the 16 checked statementsopen

The checked statements are in Turkish, as in the source text. This check does not replace legal advice.

General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, ask a lawyer or free legal aid. How was this information prepared?

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