Two suspects involved in last Friday’s riots in Vilvoorde have appeared before the Brussels chamber and had their detention extended by a month, according to the Halle-Vilvoorde prosecutor’s office.
The riots were triggered by the collision and arrest of a 24-year-old motorcyclist on Thursday evening, 17 July. Vilvoorde-Machelen police reported that the man had previously been noted for dangerous driving, repeatedly ignoring traffic regulations and challenging police. On Thursday night, he was spotted again, resulting in a collision with a police van and a kerb. He sustained minor injuries and was taken to the hospital before being handed over to the prosecutor’s office.
Although he was released, riots erupted near Vilvoorde station on Friday night. Several police vehicles and other cars were damaged, bus shelters were destroyed, windows were smashed, and four police officers suffered minor injuries. Nine individuals, including five adults and four minors, were detained.
The six adults appeared before the investigating judge, with four, including the motorcyclist, being placed under arrest and two released. One minor, residing in Brussels, was referred to the Brussels prosecutor’s office. The three other minors were presented to the youth court by the Halle-Vilvoorde prosecutor, with two being released under conditions and one placed in a closed youth institution.
