http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/2522987.stm
Youths held after Antwerp riot
Police say they will observe a “zero tolerance” policy
Belgian police are holding 20 youths of North African descent after two nights of rioting in the country’s second city, Antwerp.
The violence began after a man of Moroccan origin, 27-year-old schoolteacher Mohammed Achrak, was shot dead by his neighbour on Tuesday.
Police arrested more than 100 youths but later released most of them, warning that they would be maintaining a zero tolerance policy in the Borgerhout district.
The authorities have said there were no indications the killing was a racist act, but the protesters dispute this.
A neighbour told the BBC he believed the alleged killer was a racist.
“He intimidated me four or five months ago. He did not want any Moroccans living in his building. He said: ‘I’ll shoot the first person I see.’ I didn’t take him seriously, I thought ‘he can’t be serious’. He’s a racist, he hates Arabs.”
A 66-year-old pensioner has been charged with the murder.
Prosecutors say he appears mentally unstable.
Far-right stronghold
Police say more than 100 young men – mainly of Arab origin – took to the streets on Tuesday night and again Wednesday, smashing windows and throwing stones at officers.
“Most of the arrests were for throwing stones, attacking the police and buses and trams,” a police spokeswoman said.
Elders of the Muslim community tried to calm the crowd.
Officials said members of the European Arab League – a group that last week set up patrols in the streets of Antwerp to ensure police officers did not discriminate against residents of Arab origin – did little to discourage the riot.
About 30,000 residents of Arab origin live in Antwerp, where the Belgian far-right opposition Vlaams Blok party won 33% of the vote in the last municipal elections.
This is from the Arab European League, an organisation which our gov`t wants to put on the black list (and with reasons)
By: Rabie - 3rd December 2002 at 12:20
RE: Problems in Antwerp
all inkow about kent state was that the army (? or was it the antioanl guard) killed some people
what actually happened ???
rabie :9
By: Geforce - 1st December 2002 at 11:51
RE: Problems in Antwerp
Yes, but Hamas should be put on a terrorist list. At least that’s my humble opinion. Our federal police is investigating if there are connections between the AEL and Hezbollah.
By: skythe - 30th November 2002 at 20:06
RE: Problems in Antwerp
> The Arab European League should be put on a terrorist list.
Geforce, that’s quite a sentiment. The Hamas political wing is not on any such EU list, much thanks to French and Belgian efforts, and yet the AEL should be? What have they done that the Hamas hasn’t?
—————————————-
” So you think you are strong because you can survive the soft cushions. Well, we shall see. Biggles! Put her in the Comfy Chair! “
By: Geforce - 30th November 2002 at 12:11
RE: Problems in Antwerp
Ze willen ons zwart maken, als ze over ons praten }>
Ze denken dat we stelen, als we ons vervelen }> :7
By: kev35 - 29th November 2002 at 22:29
RE: Problems in Antwerp
Elp.
“Kev. Kent state was completely different. It wasn’t a violent demonstration.”
My point exactly. But the response to it was violent in the extreme.
Regards,
kev35
By: ELP - 29th November 2002 at 21:31
RE: Problems in Antwerp
Kev. Kent state was completely different. It wasn’t a violent demonstration.
By: Geforce - 29th November 2002 at 17:45
RE: Problems in Antwerp
BBC World
Belgium charges Arab leader
Abu Jahjah wants Arabic to be an official language
Belgian police have charged the head of an Arab militant group with conspiracy to cause disorder, criminal damage and wounding a police officer in rioting in Antwerp.
The charges against Dyab Abu Jahjah were announced hours before the funeral of a 27-year-old Moroccan immigrant, whose killing on Tuesday triggered two days of riots.
I have no doubt that action is on the way
Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt
Belgian authorities called on the several thousand mourners expected at the funeral to remain calm.
Mr Jahjah was arrested on Thursday after Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt indicated that the Arab European League (AEL) could be banned, and accused it of attempting to set up no-go areas for police.
The AEL described the arrest as a “provocation” but said it would not respond “as we don’t want to be dragged into unnecessary frenzy at this stage”.
Video patrols
The AEL is suing the city’s mayor, Leona Detiege, for libel, after her accusation that it fomented the riots on Tuesday and Wednesday, after the death of the teacher.
Bad cops – the AEL is watching you
AEL flyer
The group last week began video patrols to film Antwerp police, in an effort to record what it claims is racist behaviour.
They distributed flyers under the heading: “Bad cops – the AEL is watching you.”
Mr Abu Jahjah, who was born in Lebanon, has called for Arabic to be recognised as a fourth official language in Belgium, after French, Dutch and German.
The far-right opposition Vlaams Blok, which took 33% of the vote in the last local elections in Antwerp, called for the patrols to be arrested, and for the AEL to be banned.
“If we have to ban this organisation, then we will do so,” Mr Verhofstadt told parliament, stressing that any decision would be based on the rule of law.
Ethnic mix
“I have no doubt that action is on the way.”
Officials are already investigating whether the video patrols breach rules banning private militias.
Earlier this year, there were attacks on Jews in the city, apparently linked to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
About 30,000 people of Arab origin and 20,000 Jews live in the city of 450,000.
The Vlaams Blok holds 20 seats on the 55-seat municipal council.
Belgian police are still holding 20 youths of North African descent after arresting more than 100 during the rioting earlier this week.
The demonstrators said the killing of Mohammed Achrak, a teacher, was racially motivated.
Police say there is no evidence for this.
A 66-year-old pensioner, described by prosecutors as mentally unstable, has been charged with the murder.
By: kev35 - 29th November 2002 at 10:04
RE: Problems in Antwerp
ELP,
“I am a firm believer that with mass uncontrolled riots, you fire into the crowd. Stops it right there.”
Nice to see that you have learned from Kent State.
Regards,
kev35
By: Geforce - 29th November 2002 at 09:28
RE: Problems in Antwerp
The leader of the AEL has been arrested . We know it`s not the most democratic way, but he deserves to be jailed for a while, after supporting looting and rioting in Antwerp City.
By: frankvw - 28th November 2002 at 20:29
RE: Problems in Antwerp
Not sure Eric, usually shooting into the crowd generates further riots. But we have a nice solution, and even leased it to North Ireland: Water throwers. In fact, you could see that as an airport fire truck, with some anti ballistic protection. Very effective, and calms at the same time 🙂
Ant the best of all, the medias can’t critisize you as you didn’t hurt anybody!
By: ELP - 28th November 2002 at 19:57
RE: Problems in Antwerp
I am a firm believer that with mass uncontrolled riots, you fire into the crowd. Stops it right there. I don’t like seeing peoples business’s that they put their whole life into, smashed up by a bunch of thugs.
By: Geforce - 28th November 2002 at 14:24
RE: Problems in Antwerp
Just a bunch of frustrated Moroccons who are only out to have a good fight with the local population. The Arab European League should be put on a terrorist list.
By: Comet - 28th November 2002 at 14:11
RE: Problems in Antwerp
Foreign vermin rioting in your second city. Asylum seekers bring alot of benefits to an area, don’t they?!!!! I know what I’d do to them, but it’s not fit to repeat in decent company.
Maes. Definitely the best lager in the world.
Sign In
November 28, 2002 at 11:56 am