The local police Mechelen-Willebroek started an investigation on Sunday evening into threats received by virologist Marc Van Ranst at Mechelen station. Van Ranst filmed his attacker while he delivered a Hitler salute and posted a photo on Twitter.
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Virologist Marc Van Ranst received threats at the Mechelen station on Sunday evening. He takes two pictures of the man. The man wears a mouth mask and gives a Hitler salute, as can be seen in the photos. According to Van Ranst, the man said he would “destroy the virologist because I was a left-wing rat.”
The Mechelen police noticed the message on Twitter and immediately started an investigation. “Shortly afterwards we started an investigation into the suspect of these facts,” confirms police spokesman Dirk Van de Sande. ‘We requested the camera images from the city cameras in the station area as well as those of our colleagues from the railway police. We have not yet had contact with Mr Van Ranst, he has not yet lodged a complaint and that is not necessary in the case of these kinds of facts. We will contact him later so he can tell his story. ‘
The Antwerp public prosecutor’s office was also informed, which is necessary when camera images are requested and stored during an investigation. Mayor of Mechelen Alexander Vandersmissen condemned the facts on Twitter. ‘Our police forces have already started an investigation, camera images from the railways have been requested and our own camera images are also being viewed. This kind of behavior is repugnant and we should never accept it. ‘
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