This is the most anticipated trial of recent decades in Belgium: the trial of the Brussels attacks was supposed to start 7 weeks ago, but everything was interrupted because of the boxes of the accused who were deemed non-compliant. They have been modified at great expense and the trial will finally be able to begin on December 5.
The subject of the dispute: the defendants’ box. Here it is now refurbished, and that changes everything. No more question of being locked up in glass cages, the new box allows you to circulate and breathe in safety. From December 5, the seven detained defendants will appear side by side in a sort of semi-open aquarium.
A first opening allows them to communicate directly with their lawyers who are installed in front. A second opening, above their head, allows them to speak to the court unimpeded. “At the same time it was necessary to respect these security requirements, it is still a high-risk trial“, comments Anne Leclercq, spokesperson for the Brussels Court of Appeal. “And then, at the same time, it was necessary to ensure the guarantees which are provided for by the European Convention on Human Rights and which requires that the accused be able to communicate freely with their lawyers and that they be able to participate effectively in the trial.“
From the previous boxes, the authorities only kept the floor. Cost of this work: some 250,000 euros. 7 weeks lost, and tons of paper to summon, cancel, then re-convene the jurors. Lots of energy and money spent. “It’s true, I can share your findings”, admits Luc Hennart, spokesperson for the Brussels Court of Appeal. “But I am an incorrigible optimist, and I repeat over and over again that only the future is to be lost..”
This departure, we are assured, will be the good one. 1,000 prospective jurors have been invited to next Wednesday’s hearing. “It is a difficult operation, but as things stand now, when I see the number of prospective jurors who have been called, the president has granted about 300 exemptions, so normally we will have between 500 and 700 people who will to present oneself.”
12 effective jurors and 24 alternates will be selected. They will sit until June 30, if all goes well.