A Brussels judge has banned the daily strip searches to which the 22 March 2016 bombing suspects have been subjected, according to a VRT News report confirmed by the press officer of the Brussels French-speaking court of first instance.
The six defendants had sued the Minister of Justice in summary proceedings over the conditions in which they are transferred each day from prison to the courthouse in Haren. They complained that they were forced to undergo daily strip searches, during which they had to bend their knees, and were blindfolded during their transfer.
During the first few days of the trial, loud music was also played in the transport vehicles, but that stopped after the lawyers for the six served notice on the minister.
According to the lawyer for the Belgian state, both the strip searches and the blindfolds were necessary to ensure safety. However, at the summary proceedings, the judge ruled that the nude searches constituted degrading treatment and violated the European Convention on Human Rights since they were done on a daily, systematic basis and could be expected to take place throughout the months-long trial.
Moreover, according to the judge, they did not appear justified given all the other security measures surrounding the trial. He said the government had failed to show how the defendants posed a threat.
On the other hand, the blindfolds did not constitute degrading treatment and were necessary for security, the judge ruled.
The Belgian state can still appeal the ruling, but in the meantime, it is enforceable.
The state has eight days to execute the order or face a penalty of €1,000 per violation.
