Brussels police have defended the temporary seizure of swimming goggles and eye wash during Saturday’s unauthorised protest, saying the items were removed for public safety reasons.
Police in the Brussels-Capital-Ixelles zone said the demonstration had not been officially authorised, although the City of Brussels had tolerated it on condition that no disturbances occurred.
According to police commissioner Linda Camarero-Verde, preventive measures were taken based on the situation on the ground, including the location, timing and an assessment of potential risks.
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Among the items confiscated were swimming and ski goggles, saline solution and medical face masks. Police acknowledged that these objects are not illegal in themselves.
However, the authorities said that, in the specific context of the protest, the items could potentially be used in a way that might threaten public safety or public order.
On that basis, officers decided to carry out a temporary administrative seizure, Camarero-Verde said. She added that the measure was based on Article 30 of the Police Office Act, which allows such action in certain circumstances when required to protect public safety or public order.
The protest began peacefully, but demonstrators soon set off on an impromptu march towards Saint-Gilles and Brussels-South railway station in an attempt to reach the headquarters of the francophone liberal party MR.
A brief confrontation then broke out with police, who used pepper spray.
