Belgium's Council of State has upheld a decision by Antwerp Mayor Bart De Wever to suspend for two months the opening of a gym that famous kickboxer Jamal Ben Saddik is setting up in Deurne.
The opening of the gym was delayed by the mayor in December following an attack on the building, possibly in connection with violence in the Antwerp drug world.
Several premises linked to Ben Saddik’s family had been the target of attacks in recent months, including the building, located in Deurne Cruyslei, where the kickboxer planned to open the Vinci Club, a fitness and kickboxing club, in early January.
When, on 13 December, heavy fireworks were thrown at the building, badly damaging the main entrance to some apartments, Mayor De Wever opposed the planned opening. He argued that public order and security would be threatened, although Ben Saddik is considered the victim in this case.
The mayor ordered a two-month closure, after which a new evaluation would be made.
Ben Saddik took the case to the Council of State but has now lost his appeal. The Council found De Wever’s justifications convincing and noted that public order had been disrupted even before the case opened. Moreover, surveillance cameras have not helped in other premises where attacks took place afterwards, it said, adding that permanent police surveillance could not be guaranteed.
The temporary closure is therefore not disproportionate, the Council of State ruled.
