Prison sentences ranging from three to 12 years were requested on Thursday afternoon in the Liège Correctional Court for seven men accused of involvement in abductions in September and October 2021.
Two more hearings will be necessary to hear the defence's submissions.
A wave of violent kidnappings and robberies took place in September and October 2021 in the centre of Liege. Several young people were targeted by a gang that mainly attacked people who were alone in the street or under the influence of alcohol.
The aim of the gang was to kidnap the victims, then strip them of their valuables. Six abductions and two attempted ones took place before the attacks were brought to an end through surveillance and the arrest of the perpetrators, who were preparing to commit further crimes.
Seven defendants aged between 19 and 32 years, all from the Liège area, appeared before the criminal court to answer charges of attempted robbery with violence, kidnapping, kidnapping under threat of death, extortion under threat of weapons, malicious obstruction of traffic, computer fraud, degrading treatment and criminal association.
The prosecution has requested a 12-year prison sentence for the main defendant. The other six face sentences of three years, 40 months, five years, six years and eight years in prison.
Thursday’s hearing was delayed due to a request from some of the victims who claimed to be incapacitated for more than four months. In that case, the court could declare itself incompetent and would have to resume the proceedings with a three-judge bench. The defendants could also face harsher sentences.
