Suspects in Zeebrugge murder case to appear before Polish court on Friday
Two Russian men suspected of committing a murder in Zeebrugge are due to appear before a court in Łódź, Poland, on Friday, when the judge will consider their pre-trial detention. The investigating judge in Bruges has requested the extradition of both suspects.
On Friday evening at around 22.00, the local police in Bruges received a report of an incident on Mercatorstraat in Zeebrugge. A 56-year-old man had been severely beaten and kicked by two other men.
A witness attempted to resuscitate the victim and the emergency services arrived quickly, but the man died from his injuries. According to several witnesses, an argument had taken place between the men in a night shop beforehand. The exact cause of the fight remains unclear.
Extradition request
Thanks to a search warrant and international cooperation, the suspects' vehicle was intercepted on Tuesday at 21.30 on the A2 motorway near Skierniewice, around 50 miles from Warsaw, the capital of Poland.
The suspects, who are Russian nationals, are aged 33 and 45. According to the West Flemish public prosecutor's office, they work for a transport company. The investigating judge in Bruges has requested the extradition of both murder suspects.
Confession
The court in Łódź will hear the case for the first time on Friday at 11.00, when the Polish public prosecutor's office will request that both Russians be remanded in custody for two months.
This period should be sufficient to complete the extradition procedure. According to prosecutor Emilia Michałowska-Marchewa, the older suspect has since made a confession.
#FlandersNewsService | A police handout image of the two suspects © PHOTO BELGA HANDOUT
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