Justice chooses jury monster trial Brussels attacks, hardly anyone wants
In Brussels, the jury was assembled for the possibility against those involved in the attacks in Brussels six years ago. Four bombings killed dozens and injured hundreds.
In contrast to the Netherlands, Belgian court cases work with a jury, just like in the United States. There were a thousand jurors. The criteria are simple: anyone between the ages of 28 and 65 can be reached. The idea is that the jury is ultimately representative of society.
Suicide bombings in Brussels
On the morning of 22 March 2016, four bombs went off in Brussels. Two attackers blew themselves up at Brussels Zaventem. twelve dead, and the perpetrators themselves. Another discovered bomb was also discovered, which is detonated in a controlled manner by the explosives disposal service.
A third attacker blew himself up in a metro that had just left Maalbeek station, in the European district. this results – not counting the perpetrator – twenty people are killed. More than a hundred people were injured.
In total there were 32 fatalities and 340 injured. In May of this year, a 23-year-old woman was euthanized because of the unbearable psychological suffering they had suffered from the attacks. The terrorist group ISIS claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Three hundred of the thousand who received a summons signed a successful objection in advance. The state in addition to the missed wages and an additional fifty euros a day for jurors, yet many people try to get out of jury service.
This is mainly due to the fact that the case is expected to last eight to nine months. “That means that you are expected in court every day at a quarter to 9 during all those months,” explains Belgian crime journalist Douglas de Coninck.
Not everyone is interested in that, for reasons. For example, employees of the Brussels metro were accidentally downstairs, where only one of the attacks was found.
Rather a fine
in the end, of the 700 people reached, more than 200 did not show up. They risk a fine. “But let’s face it: pay a fine of 400 to 500 euros, or sit in court every day for eight months?” De Coninck wonders. “For many people, that’s an easy choice.”
The approximately 450 people who died have filed another appeal in court. “For example, there was a doctor who worked at a hospital where there was a staff shortage,” says De Coninck. “I think he was successful with his objection.”
Olympic athlete
A striking appearance, according to De Coninck, was the athlete Kevin Borlée, who participates in the Olympic Games on behalf of Belgium once every four years. “He only registers his name to be exempted,” says De Coninck.
De Coninck also spoke to a taxi driver in court, who drove to the hospital on the day of the attacks. Also a valid reason. In all, another two hundred people have returned home from the court.
The 250 missed names disappear into the tube. If your name comes out, you appear before the court. Then both the Public Prosecution Service and the defense may challenge you, without giving any reason. That means you can’t sit on the jury. Both the Public Prosecution Service and the defense are allowed to do this by eighteen people.
Courthouse too small
in the end the final selection remains. That’s twelve people, and another 24 reserve jurors. On Monday you can really start the job.
The fact that it took so long is mainly due to the size of the case. “This is one of the biggest cases ever in Belgium”, including Frank Verbruggen, professor in Leuven. “Our legal system is not set up for that at all.”
All victims in the case are involved parties in the proceedings. “Logistically, it was a major challenge for the judiciary,” says Verbruggen. “To begin with, the courthouse in Brussels was much too small.”
Case divided into ten rooms
Because all victims are parties, they and their lawyers are all allowed to sit in court. Then there are suspects and their lawyers, journalists and other interested parties. “And you also have to be able to secure it properly.”
So a completely new court has been built in Brussels. It opened at the end of 2020. There the case will be spread over no fewer than ten halls.
Nine suspects are then on trial. One attacker, a few men who would have helped in the meantime and a few boys who died at the last minute from their act. A tenth suspect who could not be arrested is said to have died in 2019, according to IS. statement is not conclusive evidence.