A well-known Belgian cafe owner, Marc De Bruyn, was detained on Friday evening after assaulting a homeless man outside his establishment, according to the Liège Prosecutor’s Office.
De Bruyn, famous for the Authentic Liégeois meatballs at the iconic Café Lequet, is also known for his checkered reputation.
On his arrival at his premises on Quai Sur-Meuse, on the left bank of the Ardente City, De Bruyn noted multiple people sleeping directly outside his café, a recurrent occurrence.
Exasperated and faced with one individual’s refusal to vacate the premises, the incensed owner attacked. An employee also participated in this assault.
The victim suffered injuries that have left him incapacitated for ten days.
Both the café owner and the involved employee were detained and brought before the Liège Prosecutor’s Office on Saturday.
A magistrate on duty was considering offering penal mediation or an expedited hearing in front of the Liège Correctional Court on Saturday afternoon.
This is not the first instance of De Bruyn courting controversy. In 2020, accusations were made of Nazi chants being broadcast in his café. A judicial investigation ensued, however, De Bruyn was ultimately not convicted.
