An initial drug screening of the body of Sunday 29-year-old Algerian, Akram, who died on Sunday in Antwerp, shows that the man had taken several amphetamines. That says the Antwerp public prosecutor’s office. However, nothing is known about the cause of death. Earlier today, youth gathered to protest.
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The Antwerp local police were called to Statiestraat on Sunday afternoon because a man apparently attacked bystanders under the influence of drugs and threw patio furniture from a café. The police were able to overpower and handcuff the man, but noticed that he was no longer moving. Ambulance providers who just arrived at the time could still resuscitate him, but later the man still died in the hospital.
Some witnesses took pictures of the incident and spread it via social media, after which it was suggested that the man died on the street because of the police. A petition against police brutality was launched and calls were made for a demonstration on Tuesday, where the turnout was ultimately limited, with one but one arrested after everyone returning home after conciliation talks.
Committee P
The Antwerp public prosecutor’s office has meanwhile started an investigation into the cause of death of the man, but the results are not yet known. The investigating judge also appointed Committee P to examine the intervention of the police.
Water cannon
On and around the Oudaan, a lot of police could be seen on Tuesday afternoon. Frisian riders stood on the Wilde Zee, a well-known area for shopping along the Oudaan (movable obstacles, ed.) and a water cannon was also provided if necessary. Around 2 p.m. youth workers were able to send young people home quickly. “Better that we do it than that the young people are arrested or fined,” said one of the youth workers.
Not much later, a large group of young people showed up to protest on the Meir. The police were quickly on the scene to stop the protesters and the youth workers were there to talk to the young people.
The enclosed group was sent home and was not arrested. On the Meir, police mediation teams talk to the people still hanging around. You are asked to go home. “A man was arrested on the Meir who has dealt a blow to one of our people,” says police spokesman Sven Lommaert.
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Akram’s mother also addressed the crowd. The family called for a quiet march.
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