The arrest of two suspects in the big fight in Blankenberge last Saturday has been extended by one month. The third suspect, an 18-year-old from Saint-Gilles, was released under certain conditions. But because the public prosecutor’s office is appealing, he still remains behind bars. A fourth suspect was arrested on Friday.
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The Bruges council chamber ruled Friday afternoon that DB (18) from Jette and MB (20) from Brussels had to stay in prison for a month longer anyway. AD (18) from Sint-Gillis was allowed to leave the prison under certain conditions. Among other things, the young man was banned from coming to the coast for the next three months. But the public prosecutor’s office did not agree and lodged an appeal. The Ghent Chamber of Indictment (AI) will have to take the plunge within two weeks.
The suspects have one filled criminal record. At first they said they knew each other, but they denied that they had gone to sea together. The public prosecutor’s office did not believe this statement.
Fourth suspect
The investigating judge was also able to report on Friday that a fourth suspect has been arrested. It concerns an 18-year-old man from Brussels.
Other suspects may also be arrested in the coming days and weeks. Investigators are currently analyzing the images in order to also get other stakeholders in their sights.
Community service
On Wednesday afternoon, a minor already had to do Brussels juvenile court appearing for his role in the brawl. He was sentenced to community service. The judge took into account that the boy did not have a judicial history yet.
Parasol
The massive brawl started on Saturday in the late afternoon on the beach of Blankenberge, near the Weststraattrap. Dozens of amok makers were involved in the incident. Images clearly show how the troublemakers also turned against the police. A policeman was attacked with a parasol.
The local police of Blankenberge / Zuienkerke had to enlist the help of several other police zones to calm things down. Ultimately, seventeen people involved were arrested administratively. Three young men from Brussels were judicially deprived of their liberty. The Bruges investigating judge decided on Monday to arrest them on suspicion of armed rebellion and deliberate assault and battery resulting in incapacity for work.
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