In addition,
Belgium, justice sanctions without however:
The Brussels Criminal Court has just sentenced to seven years in prison Rayan R., 20. Similarly, Anas T., 19, is three years old, including two suspended. Therefore, The two young men had orchestrated particularly violent ambush against homosexuals via the Grindr application between April. However, June 2024, making at least eight identified victims.
In Brussels. Similarly, the trial of organized homophobic violence – Belgium, justice sanctions without however
The operating mode was systematic: after having created false profiles on this dating application used by the gay community, they set meetings in various places in the Brussels region, including Anderlecht and Molenbeek parks. Nevertheless, The victims then fell into a brutal trap: physical violence. However, homophobic insults, theft of personal property, obligation under the threat of revealing their banking codes … Meanwhile,
Contested defense, heavy requisitions
During the trial, the defendants developed a particularly shocking defense, presenting themselves as self -proclaimed “vigilantes”. For example, Rayan explained that he used photos of young people in appearance to attract his victims. For example, considering that every man responding to these announcements could only be a deserving pedophile to be attacked. Meanwhile, This rhetoric aimed to justify their actions by an alleged hunt for sex offenders.
This type of fact is very severely sanctioned by our penal code, according to the will of the legislator. Furthermore, It’s as serious as a murder!
prosecutor
This defense did not succeed in the defendants. The public prosecutor was not fooled. The deputy prosecutor required very heavy sentences: 15 years for Rayan and 6 years for Anas. “This type of fact is very severely sanctioned by our penal code, according to the will of the legislator. It is belgium, justice sanctions without however as serious as a murder! ”He hammered, to better emphasize the obvious discriminatory nature of the attacks. The president of the court firmly established the homophobic mobile. noting that “only homosexual men were the target of their violent acts” and that the victims had been specifically targeted via Grindr.
New disturbing assaults in Liège
But as often, justice is behind the distortions of society. While the Brussels trial took place, Liège knew a series of particularly worrying similar assaults. In the space of only two weeks, three homophobic attacks were identified in the ardent city. The Modus Operandi faithfully reproduces that of Brussels attackers: contact via grindr, trapped appointment, collective violence.
Aggress a homosexual becomes more “acceptable” in Belgium – Belgium, justice sanctions without however
Bastien Bomans. president of the Arc-en-Ciel house in Liège, underlines on the French-speaking public channel RTBF the discriminatory character of these belgium, justice sanctions without however attacks: “There is clearly an audience that is targeted, they are gay men, bisexual men”. Faced with this resurgence. the association recommends precautionary measures: favor meetings in frequented places, exchange telephone numbers, make prior video calls.
There is clearly an audience that is targeted, they are gay men, bisexual men.
Bastien Bomans
President of the Arc-en-Ciel house in Liège
In recent months. the testimonies of the victims have highlighted the deep trauma that constitutes in a life course of such attacks.
Unia alarming report on the intensification of violence
This series of aggressions is part of a broader context of intensification of homophobic violence in Belgium documented by UNIA (the former center for equal opportunities). Additionally, the Institute for Equality between Women and Men. Their report reveals particularly disturbing figures: eight traps organized via meeting applications were identified in 2024 alone. belgium, justice sanctions without however often for extortion, concentrated over a very short period.
Associations to homosexual people are increasing in Brussels
Unia stresses that homophobic violence is characterized. by “a particularly high level of physical violence compared to other discrimination”. Even more worrying. the sub-portportation remains massive: according to a European study, only 14% of homosexual people assaulted in Belgium dare to file a complaint, hampered by the fear of coming or having to reveal their use of LGBTI+applications.
The Mbaye Wade case, an emblematic case
The Mbaye Wade case tragically illustrates the possible escalation of these discriminatory violence. This 43-year-old Liégeois had been killed with fifteen stabs in September 2020 after a homosexual meeting. His attacker. Jérémy Davin, was sentenced in June 2024 to 30 years in prison for murder with aggravating circumstances of homophobia and racism. Justice now fully takes these discriminatory belgium, justice sanctions without however motivations into account.
A Belgian Minister creates controversy around transgenderism
The new penal code. published in April 2024 after a major first revision since 1867, strengthens the legal arsenal by making any discriminatory reason a potential aggravating circumstance, allowing judges to adapt the sentences to the severity of these acts. Sexual crimes are now more sanctioned by justice.
Further reading: Just 30 years ago, Julie and Mélissa disappeared: “I’m not even sure that Marc Dutroux will stay in prison” – Freddy Horion receives an exit permission: he had been sentenced to perpetuity 45 years ago – “Multiple wounds noted”: a crèche of Rhode-Saint-Genèse temporarily closed – Lawyer Georges-Henri Beauthier, defender of many victims, went – Is Belgium still a tax haven?.
