Skip to content
Magazine
Saturday, August 2, 2025
SUBSCRIBE
  • About Us
  • Belgium News
    • Belgium Police News
    • Brussels News
  • EU Institutions News
    • European Commission News
    • European Parliament News
    • European Council News
  • Europe News
  • World News
  • Belgium Business News
  • Culture and Society News
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
  • About Us
  • Belgium News
    • Belgium Police News
    • Brussels News
  • EU Institutions News
    • European Commission News
    • European Parliament News
    • European Council News
  • Europe News
  • World News
  • Belgium Business News
  • Culture and Society News
  • In Depth
    • Ambassador’s Corner
    • The American Angle
    • Sustainable Perspective
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Place de la Bourse
    • The Macro-Economist
    • Southeast Europe
SUBSCRIBE

Deferred prison terms for protesters carrying fireworks to demonstration

Helen Critchley by Helen Critchley
23 March 2022
in Brussels News

BRUSSELS (Brussels Morning) – Two people in their thirties who were arrested on December 19 before the demonstration against the Covid Safe Ticket because they had a lot of dangerous fireworks in their pocket have been sentenced to five and six months in prison. The court ruled that they had no intention of rioting or injuring police officers.

Because there had been incidents at three previous demonstrations in Brussels against the corona measures, the police were extra vigilant on 19 December and checks were carried out before the start. Among other things, the officers picked out two people in their thirties, who were carrying large backpacks. One of them had 21 flares in his pocket, the other was in possession of more than twenty small bombs, several smoke flares, a catapult and about eighty paintball balls whose paint had been replaced by petrol and white spirit.

DOVO, the demining service of the army, examined all the material and it appeared that the seized goods could cause a dangerous explosion. According to the prosecutor’s office, the two men clearly intended to cause disruption and behave in an unruly manner.

‘Anxiety Disorder’

The defence strongly denied that at the trial last month. “My client is not a troublemaker and had no malicious intentions,” pleaded the lawyer for one of them.

“He suffers from an anxiety disorder and was having a hard time because of the corona measures. His psychologist had told him that he had to get in touch with people and maybe participate in a corona demonstration.”

“The first demonstration went well, and because fireworks were also being set off at the time, he saw no flaws in it. He did not realise that the fireworks he had bought on the internet were so dangerous. He was careless, but he intended to do no harm.”

Deferred prison sentences

The lawyers for the two defendants also disputed that their client was out to riot. “There is no evidence whatsoever that he intended to engage in armed rebellion.” The man himself stated that he had found the paintball balls on the street and had wanted to hand them over to the police.

The court listened to the explanation of the defence and acquitted the two defendants for possession of objects intended to commit armed inconsistency and for possession of explosive material intended to injure police officers. They were sentenced to 5 and 6 months in prison with a postponement for possession of objects that are dangerous to public order.

Related News:

  • Police Are Preparing For New Year’s Eve: ‘Fireworks Are Getting More And More Powerful’
  • 155 People Injured By Fireworks In Belgium
  • France terms US-Australian submarine deal a “stab in the back”
  • Italy and Malta refuse docking to charity ships carrying nearly 1,000 migrants
Tags: COVID safe ticketDemonstrationsFeaturedJustice
Next Post

Metro to Groot-Bijgaarden costs up to 450 million euros

Latest post

EU-elections-UK

EU elections: UK looks on from the “outside”

1 year ago
Galeries-Royales-Saint-Hubert

What Makes Galeries Royales Saint-Hubert an “Institution”?

1 year ago

Most Read

    Follow Brussels Morning
    Facebook Twitter Youtube Linkedin

    Browse Important News

    Belgium News
    Brussels News
    Culture and Society News
    Economy News
    EU Institutions News
    European Commission News
    European Council News
    European Parliament News
    Europe News
    Health And Fitness News
    Southeast Europe News
    Sustainable Perspective
    World News
    Diplomacy News
    US Elections News

    About Us

    Brussels Morning is a daily online newspaper based in Belgium. BM publishes unique and independent coverage on international and European affairs. With a Europe-wide perspective, BM covers policies and politics of the EU, significant Member State developments, and looks at the international agenda with a European perspective.

    More Info

    • About Us
    • Advertise With Us
    • Contact Us
    • Cookies Policy

    Join Our Newsletter

    Brussels Morning Newspaper – All Rights Reserved © 2024

    No Result
    View All Result
    • Home
    • About Us
    • Belgium News
      • Belgium Police News
      • Brussels News
    • Brussels Bubble
      • European Parliament News
      • European Commission News
      • European Council News
    • Wider Europe
      • Member States
    • World News
    • Business & Society
    • Europe With Transparency
    • Culture & Society
    • Policy Talks
      • Place de la Bourse
      • The Macro-Economist
      • Sustainable Perspective
      • Ambassador’s Corner
      • The American Angle
      • Southeast Europe
    • Print Magazine

    Brussels Morning Newspaper - All Rights Reserved © 2020

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    Non-necessary
    Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
    SAVE & ACCEPT