A Belgian court is set to deliver its verdict on Monday regarding two Dutch men in their twenties charged with the drowning of 50-year-old Hakim Mutyaba, who was pushed into a canal two years ago.
Thirty months in prison have been requested for the main suspect, aged 24, who allegedly pushed the victim from the Lousbergskaai in Ghent, and 18 months for his 26-year-old accomplice who was present at the time.
The suspects were arrested in the Netherlands and detained for several months but are currently on provisional release.
The primary defendant is charged with assault, involuntary manslaughter, and failure to assist a person in danger, while the second defendant faces charges of failure to assist and involuntary manslaughter.
The victim’s family sought to have the charges reclassified as murder, but this request was not granted.
According to the public prosecutor, Hakim Mutyaba was not aggressive but “physically exuberant.” In what was described as a playful manner, he attempted to lift the accused, who then pushed him over the railing in response.
Surveillance footage later showed the two men watching Mutyaba struggle in the water without offering help. Unable to swim, Mutyaba drowned.
The younger defendant has admitted to drinking and smoking on the night of the incident and has stated he would accept the sentence.
He claimed to believe that Mutyaba intended to push him into the water. His accomplice has pleaded guilty to failing to assist a person in danger but denies the charge of involuntary manslaughter.
