A man accused of harassing Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden (Christen-Democratisch en Vlaams, CD&V) has been detained in Mechelen.
The incident, confirmed by the Antwerp prosecutor’s office, took place in late April at the regional television channel ATV in Antwerp: an intruder disturbed the Minister backstage at the studio; a complaint was lodged; and the assailant was subsequently apprehended by the police.
While he did not display any aggressive behaviour towards the Minister, the man, who is in his thirties, has a history of similar offences against other women.
