On the first day of the 2016 terror attacks trial, journalists had to wait more than an hour before getting through security, with their entry delayed by half an hour owing to logistical issues.
On Monday, Belgium's biggest-ever trial began, with ten suspects on trial for the bombings that shook the capital on 22 March 2016, as 32 people were killed at the Maelbeek metro station and Zaventem Airport.
As expected, the trial generated the interest of numerous media outlets and press corps, resulting in a crowd of journalists gathering in front of the Justitia site in Haren to await the start of the trial.
Related News
- Brussels terror trial: What to expect from the first phase
- How the bombs changed Brussels, and how the city is still coming to terms with them
Set to open at 07:30, the site could only be accessed from 08:00 onwards, which resulted in a long line of journalists waiting for over an hour outside.
Furthermore, the hearing was scheduled to begin at 09:00 but was delayed to 09:45.
As the trial finally commenced, the first day of hearing will see the parties identified, with a few explanatory words given by the president of the court.