An assault with ammonia was committed against three STIB employees on Sunday afternoon at De Brouckère metro station, the Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office has confirmed.
After being arrested, the suspect has now been charged with assault and battery by the examining magistrate, after the three employees were declared incapacitated for work.
The railway police were called to the scene shortly before 15:00 on Sunday. According to the facts given by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, three STIB security guards asked a homeless woman to leave the metro station.
When she refused, the woman allegedly took out a bottle containing a liquid resembling ammonia and threw it in the direction of the security guards. Two of them were hit in the face and one in the mouth. The third security guard was also affected by the substance after trying to restrain the woman.
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The three STIB employees were taken to hospital for treatment and were able to leave the same day. Two of them were incapacitated for work for five and three days respectively, and the third security guard left the hospital after remaining under observation for a few hours.
The suspect has been questioned and placed at the disposal of the Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office. A psychiatric examination of the suspect and an investigating judge have been requested.
The suspect was questioned and placed at the disposal of the Brussels public prosecutor’s office.