More arrests made in connection to homophobic hate crime

More arrests made in connection to homophobic hate crime
Credit: Jan Schaumont/The Belgian Pride

Belgian politicians have spoken out in condemnation after a 42-year-old man was found murdered in a park in the East Flemish city of Beveren, near Antwerp, with local media reporting that the murder was a homophobic hate crime.

A cyclist discovered the body Saturday morning, and phoned the police while keeping his distance, thinking the man was still alive. But the victim, who had been stabbed and badly beaten, was already dead, prompting police to dredge a nearby pond in search of the murder weapon.

Although there were no witnesses, suspects were identified quickly and several have been arrested. The first of them belongs to a homophobic group of “gay bashers” that use gay dating sites to ambush and then assault gay men, reports De Standaard.

Politicians have reacted to the news this morning on Twitter, including Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, who said he was “shocked” by the homophobia.

I am deeply shocked by the extreme homophobia in Beveren. This is really awful. My deepest condolences to the family and friends of the victim. Justice must now do its job. But let one thing be clear: we will never accept this violence in our country.

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Annelies Verlinden, Minister of the Interior, said that there is no room for homophobic violence “in a mature society.”

In a mature society there is no room for homophobic violence. The events in #beveren are completely unacceptable. I sympathize with the family and friends of the victim.

Tinne Van der Straeten, Minister of Energy, also made mention of the murder.

“No voice can be loud enough against the murder in Beveren,” she wrote. “Justice must do its job. At the same time, a broad approach is needed against the creeping poison of hatred.”

No voice can be loud enough against the murder in #beveren. Extreme hatred resulting in death. Because as a man you love men. Justice must do its job. At the same time a broad approach is needed against the creeping poison of hatred.

The victim is from a village near Sint-Niklaas, and was studying for a degree. He was described by an acquaintance as being openly gay, with a wide circle of friends.

While the public prosecutor’s office will not yet comment on the matter, they have confirmed the arrests and said that the motive is still being investigated. Some outlets report that the murderers are thought to be minors.

The man is the second in Belgium known to have been clearly murdered for being gay. In 2012, Ihsane Jarfi was killed in Liège by four men for the same reason. A silent march is held in his memory each year on International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia.

Helen Lyons

The Brussels Times


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