Student Accuses Police of Violence in Anderlecht
Confusion Over Intruder Leads to Altercation
A young resident of Anderlecht claims he was subjected to police brutality after mistaking an officer for a burglar in his home. Authorities dispute the account, stating the individual assaulted an officer.
Conflicting Accounts Emerge
The incident reportedly began when the individual encountered someone he believed to be a thief within his residence. In the ensuing confusion, he allegedly struck the individual, who was in fact a police officer.
Un Anderlechtois frappe un policier qu'il a confondu avec un cambrioleur : le parquet réagit https://t.co/s1Q31kQ8bL
— BX1 (@BX1_be) May 1, 2024
The individual’s version of events suggests he acted in self-defense. He stated, I thought he was a thief.
However, the prosecution presented a contrasting narrative.
Prosecution Disputes Claims
Prosecutors have challenged the young person’s allegations of police misconduct. They claim the situation escalated when the individual became aggressive.
“He would have physically assaulted a police officer, carrying him several strokes and injuring him seriously.”
— Prosecution Statement
The prosecution further alleges that following the initial confrontation, the officer’s colleagues responded with force. The individual claims, His colleagues were then relentless on me.
Escalation and Injury
According to the prosecution, the altercation resulted in significant injuries to the police officer. Reports indicate the officer sustained serious harm during the incident.
This event highlights concerns regarding police conduct and civilian interactions. In Brussels, reports of alleged police misconduct have seen a slight increase, with 45 such complaints filed in 2023 according to the annual report by the supervisory body (Bruxelles.irisnet.be 2024).
Investigation Underway
Both accounts are currently under investigation. Authorities are working to establish the precise sequence of events that led to the confrontation and subsequent injuries.
