Blue Line, a non-profit linked to police-related causes, has created a fund for donations in support of the families of the three victims of alleged killer Benjamin Herman, accused of shooting dead two police officers and one passer-by in Liege in May. The shooting led to hundreds of police from across the country attending the funeral of the two officers, and to justice minister Koen Geens suspending for the time being all penitentiary leave while procedures are reviewed. Herman was on leave from prison at the time of the shootings. He was later killed by a police intervention squad.
Meanwhile, the education platform enseignons.be and the Liège-Jonfosse college attended by the third victim, 22-year-old Cyriel Vangriecken, have set up a fund in his name to provide support for students of modest means. Next weekend, runners in the jogging run in Verviers will be sponsored in the name of the new fund.
“In that way, we will mark through Cyriel our support for the fundamental values of respect, tolerance and solidarity,” a spokesperson said.
Blue Line was set up in March 2016, in the immediate aftermath of the bomb attacks in Zaventem and Brussels. The latest action involves the creation of a badge – available on the organisation’s website for €8 – showing a woman police officer and the date of the attack.
Alan Hope
The Brussels Times
