Policeman who killed Fabian released on conditions
The policeman from the Brussels West zone involved in the fatal police chase in Ganshoren has been released under conditions by the indictment chamber. This was confirmed by his lawyer, Sven Mary.
Eleven-year-old Fabian was killed on 2 June during a police chase. The boy was riding home on an electric scooter when officers attempted to stop him because he was too young to use one. For reasons that remain unclear, he fled, and police gave chase. A collision followed in Elisabethpark, where Fabian was run over by a police vehicle. He later died in the hospital.
The Brussels public prosecutor's office handed the investigation to the P Committee, an external body that, under the supervision of the Federal Parliament, oversees the policing practices of all officials with policing powers. It has since been found that the officers, contrary to their initial statements, had not activated the siren or flashing lights. The driver was arrested and placed under an arrest warrant with electronic surveillance, suspected of malicious obstruction of traffic resulting in death.
Legal proceedings and appeal
On 13 June, the Brussels council chamber extended his pre-trial detention by a month, but the officer appealed. His lawyers, Maxime Lauria and Sven Mary, called the charges and detention exaggerated. They also criticised the prosecutor’s communication, particularly regarding the use of sirens and lights, as premature.
On Monday, the defence requested conditional release and proposed ten conditions. On Wednesday, the indictment chamber granted the request.
"These are the conditions that we as the defence had proposed ourselves," said Mary. "He is allowed to resume work, but only do administrative work and no interventions. That would not be appropriate at this time. He is also not allowed to have any contact with the civil party, unless this is done at their request. My client is already prepared to enter into discussions with the family."
Mary called it a "correct and wise decision, in a terrible case. First of all for that family, who have lost a child. But also for my client, who will have to learn to live with this fatal accident. There should be no competition in drama in this case."
People attend a silent march in memory of the 11-year-old Fabian in Brussels, on 08 June 2025.
© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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