An investigation is underway.
Lhe VRT journalist Riadh Bahri lodged a complaint for homophobic assault and theft with violence on Friday morning in the Anneessens district, in central Brussels, said Brussels-Ixelles police spokesperson Ilse Van de keere. An investigation is underway.
The journalist responded in the street to a person asking for directions to go to the Gare du Nord. He was then slapped and kicked and had his gold chain ripped off and stolen. He was also called a “dirty queer”, according to his statements on Twitter.
The police have started a neighborhood investigation and are trying to hear possible witnesses. Images from surveillance cameras will also be used.
People who are victims of homophobic attacks will not always file a complaint, comments the police spokesperson. “They can of course come to one of our police stations, but they can also do so online via the police-on-web site. We also have a point of contact on our site, ”she recalls.
