Violence and arrests in Brussels amid weekend protests

A weekend of protests in Brussels descended into chaos as police used rubber bullets during a march for Fabian, an 11-year-old boy who died during a police chase, and made several arrests following a separate demonstration over Gaza.

On Sunday, a peaceful protest in memory of Fabian, who was fatally struck by a police vehicle in Ganshoren last week, escalated near the Molenbeek police station. Riot police deployed water cannons, pepper spray, and rubber bullets against a small group of troublemakers. At least one officer fired a rubber bullet near a playground where children were still present.

Interior minister Bernard Quintin has requested a full report. “The use of rubber bullets is strictly regulated”, he said. “I’ve asked the police zone to explain what happened and how it was handled.”

“I’ve asked the police zone to explain what happened and how it was handled.”

Police confirmed fewer than 20 rubber rounds were fired by a trained arrest team and said the weapons were used for self-defence. Four people were arrested during the unrest, one administratively and three judicially.

On Whit Monday, a large protest outside the Brussels Stock Exchange, sparked by Israel’s interception of the humanitarian ship Madleen, also turned violent. Around 2,000 people took part, and tensions rose as the crowd moved onto the inner ring road, blocking traffic and leading to tunnel closures. A police vehicle was attacked, and officers were targeted before order was restored and multiple arrests were made.

The Madleen, part of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition, carried aid for Gaza and included activist Greta Thunberg and MEP Rima Hassan among its passengers.

^{Clashes between protestors and the police at the end of a silent march for the 11-year-old Fabian, who died last Monday after he was was chased and hit by a police car © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}