An Antwerp court has forwarded a case involving a fatal stabbing in Berchem to the public prosecutor’s office, aiming for referral to the court of assizes, according to the Antwerp prosecutor on Monday.
The stabbing incident took place on 7 January 2024 at around 20:30. Davy Veraghtert, 39, was conversing with his brother and a friend on Diksmuidelaan after visiting a café. An unidentified man approached them and allegedly initiated a confrontation, reportedly threatening the friend with a gun. When Veraghtert attempted to intervene, he was stabbed, and the suspect immediately fled.
Emergency services attempted to save Veraghtert, but he succumbed to his injuries. Overnight, police arrested Said C., 35, in Borgerhout. He had previous convictions for assaulting an ex-girlfriend, theft, and illegal possession of weapons.
Said C. was detained on suspicion of murder. Initially exercising his right to remain silent, he reportedly later stated that he did not intend to kill Veraghtert. On Friday, the court decided to forward the case to the public prosecutor’s office, which will present it to the chamber of indictment. It will be the chamber of indictment that ultimately decides whether the suspect will be referred to the court of assizes.
