On February 16, at the request of the federal police, a wanted notice was launched in relation to the riots of March 13, 2021 which shook Liège… and less than 24 hours later, 18 of the 27 people sought were identified.
Almost a year after these terrible events during which 36 police officers were injured to varying degrees, the investigation is progressing even if the latter is complex… “In particular, it was necessary to analyze thousands of screenshots”, reminded us this Wednesday Catherine Collignon, spokesperson for the Liège public prosecutor’s office. Work that has paid off, however, since today around fifty people have been identified out of the 120 initially targeted.
Civil war scenes
On March 13, 2021, it was therefore on the sidelines of a gathering of the “Black lives matter” movement that the facts had occurred. The demonstration had taken place in support of this lady, arrested in a muscular way following a rebellion, the Monday preceding the events. More than 200 thugs had thus invited themselves to the demonstration which was taking place in the heart of Liège… and in a few seconds, everything had degenerated. While the thugs attacked the commercial windows, more than 250 local and federal police officers intervened. True scenes of civil war had shaken the Ardent City, the use of water cannons and tear gas had been necessary to disperse a crowd that had remained hostile for long hours.
Following these riots, several files were opened by the prosecution. The main one, in the investigation, concerns the acts of violence against the police. Following the call in February, 18 rioters, adults, could therefore be identified. With the 15 people already identified, it is therefore now 33 adults who are known to justice. Violence against the police still: 15 minors have also been identified, 13 of whom will go before the juvenile judge. Another file linked to the riots concerns the ransacking of the JD Sports store, located in the Saint-Lambert galleries. 24 people have been identified here, including 13 adults. Concerning the degradations committed at the town hall of Liège and those at the Wallonia Liège-centre police station, there are respectively 4 and 7 suspects… 4 have been identified in total.
It is obvious that some perpetrators are responsible for several offenses cited… At this stage, no arrest warrant has yet been issued. The fact remains that, for violence committed against the police, the perpetrators (weapon bearers) risk sentences of up to 10 years in prison.