“Today, social media called again to gather in response to the death of a young person in France,” said the police spokesman. “Young people gathered this afternoon in various places, including Muntplein, the surroundings of Lemonnierlaan and Anneessenswijk. In the meantime, about fifty people have been administratively arrested. It concerns preventive arrests of persons who are in possession of incriminating material and who can be assumed to cause destruction.”
Also on Friday, a unit of command is being worked with coordination being ensured by the chief of police of Brussels Capital-Ixelles, according to the police: “All partners involved are present in the regional crisis center.”
On Thursday, social media had already called for people to gather at Anneessensplein in Brussels and confront the police there, in order to protest against the death of 17-year-old Nahel. Young people gathered in and around the Anneessenswijk and at the Zuidstation, among other places. The Brussels police were prepared for this and were able to intervene before serious incidents occurred, although one vehicle was set on fire each time in Artesiestraat in Brussels and on Constitution Square in Sint-Gillis.
The police arrested 64 people in the course of the evening. Forty-seven minors and 16 adults were administratively detained, and one minor was judicially detained. The young man was released after questioning.
