Two arrested in connection with murder of Jemeppe resident

Two arrested in connection with murder of Jemeppe resident
Credit: Belga

The alleged killers of a man whose lifeless body was found on Monday in his burnt-out van in Lonzée (Gembloux), have been placed under arrest for murder and arson, Namur public prosecutor Vincent Macq said on Friday.

The victim, a resident of Jemeppe-sur-Sambre born in 2001, died from a bullet wound in the chest and another in the head, according to the autopsy.

Firefighters discovered his body on Monday afternoon in his burnt-out vehicle in the middle of a field in Lonzée.

The alleged perpetrator, a shopowner from Gembloux born in 1992, was arrested on Thursday and immediately confessed. His alleged accomplice, born in 1995, was later arrested. Both were placed under an arrest warrant on Friday.

The main suspect said that, for days, the victim, whom he met a few weeks ago, had tried to extort thousands of euros from him, and behaved threateningly towards him.

Fearing for his life, the man then killed him, justifying his action by the “pedigree” of the victim.

However, the Namur public prosecutor said the man was only known to the police for traffic offences and infringing Covid regulations.

The two suspects will appear in court in the next few days.


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