A Swedish man appeared before the Brussels magistrates’ court on Monday for assaulting two police officers at Brussels Airport in December 2022. His lawyer is arguing for the sentence to be suspended.
“My client had gone to the wrong boarding gate and consequently missed his flight,” said the public prosecutor. “He made a big fuss about it and was asked several times to leave the airport, to no avail.”
During his transfer to the cell complex, things got completely out of hand. The man initially managed to undo his handcuffs and seatbelt. Once overpowered by the police, he kicked, punched and even bit them, causing two officers to be unable to work for a fortnight.
The Hal-Vilvoorde public prosecutor’s office requested a four-month prison sentence for these acts. However, the defendant’s lawyer argued for the sentence to be suspended: “My client had arrived at the airport far too early and had decided to have a drink... I’m afraid he underestimated the alcohol content of our local beers, as he imbibed four Duvels, a glass of wine and a glass of whisky. He then totally panicked, which he was ashamed of and apologised for a day later.”
The defence also stressed that their client had a clean criminal record. Judgement is expected on October 12.
