Two transgender women were assaulted and robbed in central Brussels between Saturday night and Sunday morning.
Police have opened an investigation.
No suspects had been arrested, up to Monday afternoon.
The attack was first reported by Bruzz on Monday and was confirmed by the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone.
Police have drawn up a report for violent theft and incitement to discrimination, violence or hatred, police spokesperson Robin De Becker said.
According to the police, the two victims were first attacked after an altercation. The suspects stole a mobile phone and a handbag before fleeing.
A short time later, the women were attacked again by two people who got out of a vehicle. They were punched several times but managed to escape and alert the police.
The investigation to identify those responsible is ongoing.
One of the victims told Bruzz that the first assault happened near the Manneken Frites chip shop on Rue du Midi, close to Brussels’ LGBTQIA+ district.
She said several men made transphobic remarks before one of them struck her friend.
The two women then decided to go to a nightclub, but later changed their minds and headed home.
They were allegedly attacked a second time near Rue de Bodegem.
One of the victims said she was hit in the head. Her friend was reportedly dragged by the hair and suffered open wounds to her face and neck.
