No cell for Belgian cop who shot toddler during car chase | NOW

The Belgian police officer who accidentally shot a toddler in pursuit of human smugglers does not have to go to jail. The judge found him guilty, but held it to a suspended prison sentence and a fine.

Almost three years ago, the officer attempted to force a van in which people smugglers wanted to take two-year-old Mawda and her family to the UK.

According to Belgian media, the man has stated that he was aiming for the front wheel of the van, with the aim of deflating the tire.

“He should have known there was a risk of people getting hurt,” the court is said to have said in it Friday verdict. His mistake led directly to Mawda’s death and he thus committed unintentional manslaughter, comparable to the Dutch culpable death.

The driver of the van was sentenced to four years in prison. A second suspect, who was riding in the van, goes unpunished for lack of evidence.

Mawda’s parents are allowed to stay in Belgium, it was announced earlier in the day. They did not have to return to their own country until the lawsuit was concluded, but they have now also received a permanent residence permit.

That is nothing more than “normal”, says Belgian State Secretary Sammy Mahdi (Asylum). “These parents have been through trauma. Their child is buried here. Sometimes you don’t have to understand all of the parents’ choices in order for them to find peace.” Mahdi wants to give the family the “peace and quiet so that they can mourn peacefully”.

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