Three men were sentenced to 300 hours of community service by the Brussels Correctional Tribunal on Thursday. They threw stones and other objects at police on the 6th of November during the National demonstrations. If they don’t complete their sentence, they will be sent to prison for two years. The three individuals must also each pay the Brussels Capitale-Ixelles police 200 euros in moral damages, as well as 300 euros in damages to a police officer. Two of the three admitted taking part in the fighting, but said they had stopped attacking police of their own accord when they saw how the situation was degenerating. The tribunal, however, considered that the two defendants did not stop at the first opportunity.
The third defendant claimed he didn’t throw stones at the officers, but the Tribunal had enough proof to convict him.
In the case of a fourth presumed troublemaker, the tribunal decided to continue the inquiry. His case will be reexamined on the 5th of March.
The Brussels Prosecutor’s Office called up a further five protestors on Thursday, also suspected of being involved in the fighting. Two of their cases have been delayed until the 5th of March. The Prosecutor’s Office requested a year in prison for the three others. Two of these three defendants pleaded Not Guilty and requested acquittal. The other admitted his actions and requested community service. The verdict will be given on the 5th of February.
t (Source: Belga)
