Poison Letter Sent to Belgian PM's Office Identified as Deadly Strychnine

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A white powder discovered in a letter sent to the office of Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo has been confirmed as strychnine, a highly toxic substance. The identification was made by the Brussels prosecutor's office, revealing that the incident occurred last November.

An aide in De Croo's office was hospitalized after opening the letter and sustaining injuries to their hands. The letter was received on November 22, just days after similar packages were sent to the office of Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden and the state security service's headquarters. While one individual was placed under quarantine as a precaution, no further injuries were reported.

Strychnine is commonly used as rat poison and can cause severe health issues in humans, including muscle spasms and cardiac arrest. The alarming news follows recent incidents involving threats to politicians across Europe, raising concerns about rising violence against elected officials.

Prime Minister De Croo expressed relief that no serious injuries occurred, but conveyed that the incidents have deeply affected his office. "This cannot be the new normal," stated his spokesperson, emphasizing the necessity of strict protocols following the event.

The situation mirrors a troubling trend in Europe, where instances of violence and threats against politicians have been increasing, prompting worries about the impact on democratic participation.

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