The ongoing trial over the 2016 Brussels terror attacks was delayed by over two hours on Monday morning after 35 federal police officers went on strike. They were protesting the recent dismissal of two of their colleagues, Belga News Agency reports.
The courtroom was supposed to open at 07:30, with the final week of victim testimonies set to commence at 09:00. However, the Justicia site only opened up its doors at 9:45.
The over two-hour delay was due to a spontaneous police strike action, with thirty police officers in charge of maintaining security in the courtroom called in sick on Monday morning. Their replacements, having been brought in from Leuven, had to be given instructions on how to proceed which led to even further postponements.
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The protest was launched after two officers from the Federal Police's security department (DAB) were removed from the ongoing trial. The police union representative Frédéric Fortunato told Belga News Agency that the DAB has been put under heavy pressure and has been forced to work very demanding hours.
Furthermore, it is not clear whether the striking officers will return to work in the coming days, leading to uncertainty over this week's trial.
