Brugse hooligan in the cell after raid on do-it-yourself store in Molenbeek for cup final (Sint-Jans-Molenbeek)
The do-it-yourself store was beaten short and small. – © Kristof Vadino
In the investigation into the heavy riots in Sint-Jans-Molenbeek before the cup final between Club Brugge and RSC Anderlecht, three suspects were arrested, the Brussels public prosecutor reports. One of them was arrested.
Brugse Hooligans traveled through the streets of Sint-Jans-Molenbeek on Sunday 4 May. In the Vanderstichelenstraat, a group of ‘supporters’ decided to attack a do-it-yourself store when the owner tried to close the roller shutter of his depot. The hooligans invaded the business and hit the entire household effects short and small. The owner and his 22-year-old son get striking and get injured. For example, the young man suffered some broken ribs.
Read too. How to pass through Bruges supporters completely degenerated into Molenbeek: « Where are those Muslims here? We’ll come to kill you »
However, the news of the acts of violence in Vanderstichelenstraat did not remained without consequences. Images of the attack on the do-it-yourself store went around on social media and soon some young people from the neighborhood pulled into the counterattack. A few streets away, different supporters of Club Brugge were beaten up.
Club Brugge supporter shot
Also later in the evening there were several incidents, including in metro stations. In addition, one football supporter was shot, elsewhere knife stitches and blows were handed out. In most cases, the victims were unsuspecting Bruges supporters on their way home, who had nothing to do with the acts of violence in Vanderstichelenstraat.
In the end, the police arrested 63 people, although it was mainly about administrative arrest. In the meantime, a judicial investigation was opened into the attack on the DIY store, which led to three arrests on Tuesday.
Hate pattern
« The public prosecutor had demanded the investigating judge for facts of deliberate success and injuries with disability, with premeditation, charged to two people, and for similar facts, with a hate motif, charged to a third person, » says Martin François of the Brussels parquet. The first two people have also received an alcohol and stadium ban.
Read too. Officially: Club Brugge supporters are not welcome in Anderlecht on Sunday by police warriors
« The three suspects were suspected in accordance with the claims of the public prosecutor. Two of them were released under certain conditions. The third person was placed under arrest mandate. »
« The case comes before the council chamber on Friday. The suspect emphasizes no racist or xenophobic at all. I can’t lose more, » says lawyer Rutger Verhelst.
« My clients were released under very strict conditions. The investigation is still ongoing and in that context my clients have been interrogated yesterday and today. They dispute the premeditated consultation, » responds lawyer Ibrahim Uckuyulu.
