The trial for drug trafficking in the Clemenceau neighbourhood of Anderlecht began on Monday morning at the Brussels Correctional Court.
Among the 24 defendants referred to the correctional court, two have since had their charges dropped.
The remaining 22, mostly aged between 20 and 33, are being tried for the possession and sale of cannabis and cocaine, primarily from May 2023 to September 2024. Some also face charges for weapon possession, assault, and inhumane treatment.
The court’s president questioned one of the main defendants about various charges, including allegations that he led a drug-selling network from Haren prison while incarcerated.
He was also questioned about vendettas against his competitors. According to the main defendant, there were "rumours that arms had been broken".
The defendant, with a long history of legal troubles, shared his life story, revealing he left school at 17 and accumulated various offences and convictions. When asked why he hadn’t learnt from his mistakes, he responded, "I’m not someone who learns quickly."
Police pictured near the Clemenceau metro station on Thursday 27 February. Credit: Belga / Nicolas Maeterlinck
Regarding his future plans, the young man expressed a desire for a normal life, saying, "I would like to be like everyone else. Have a job and get engaged."
Another defendant, 21, who worked as a 'supplier' for the street vendors, stated that he only sold drugs to be able to finance his own use.
"I can't really seem to stop," he said at the hearing. The man had already received an autonomous probation sentence for previous offences, under the condition that he would go back to school. According to the investigation, the defendant did not take any steps in that direction.
In recent months, shootings have frequently taken place in Anderlecht, especially in the neighbourhood around the Clemenceau Metro station. It is presumed that these were all scores settling incidents within the drug scene. Two people have already been killed in the shootings so far.
