The Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone is preparing for more incidents on Friday evening in the capital, as anger about the death in France of Nahel, a 17-year-old young man, continues.
Police authorities have therefore taken the necessary measures. “Messages are circulating again on social networks and we are therefore preparing to intervene,” said the local police.
Calls to gather on Thursday in Place Anneessens in Brussels and confront the police had been made on social networks to protest against the teenager’s death.
“We were prepared for this and were able to quickly send teams to the scene,” said the Brussels-Capital/Ixelles police zone. “As soon as we saw that young people were present, we lined up, which led to the rapid questioning of a large number of people.”
Credit: Belga / Hatim Kaghat
The incidents took place in and around the Place Anneessens area and the Brussels-Midi station area. In addition, several fires were reported, notably in Rue d’Artois in Brussels and Place de la Constitution in Saint-Gilles. Firefighters were on the scene and were able to extinguish them quickly, including a car which was set ablaze.
Police arrested a total of 64 people on Thursday evening. Of these, 47 minors and 16 adults were administratively arrested, while one minor was judicially arrested for rebelling against a police inspector who was injured. The young man was released after a hearing.
