Nine policemen were injured after a fight broke out on Thursday night in the centre of student town Louvain-la-Neuve. Around 0200, two people had a violent argument at Place de l’Université. The incident took place near a gathering of several police officers in plain clothes who were celebrating the birthday of a colleague.
As some of the police officers approached the two arguing men to try to separate them, soldiers stationed at the Heverlee barracks, who aoppeared to be drunk, also got involved in the argument.
Rather than defusing the situation, the soldiers attacked the policemen, throwing punches and kicks. Police reinforcement had to be called in from other zones.
Nine policemen were injured, and three had to be hospitalised. Six soldiers involved in the fight were arrested and face charges.
The Brussels Times
