Emmanuel Dunand, AFP | Policemen patrol on the Meir, Antwerp's main pedestrian street, on March 23, 2017, in Antwerp.

A man who sped a car down a pedestrian shopping street in Antwerp has been charged with attempted terrorist murder, Belgium’s federal prosecutors said on Friday.

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No one was injured in the incident, but authorities said pedestrians had to jump out of the way and police found knives in the vehicle of 39-year-old Mohamed R., a French resident of North African origin.

He has also been charged with illegal possession of weapons.

French police sources had told Reuters it was possible the suspect had not been trying to hit anyone, but was probably drunk and trying to escape a police check.

Belgian media said police found the suspect asleep in his car after chasing him through town and he was too intoxicated to be heard about the incident.

Belgium’s federal prosecutors did not give any further details about the case.

(REUTERS)

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