Brussels, Belgium – Three men are set to appear before the Brussels Correctional Court on May 23 in connection with a kidnapping that took place in the Saint-Gilles district of the Belgian capital in May 2024.
Authorities believe the abduction was linked to a dispute over stolen drugs, though the suspects deny the allegations. The incident unfolded during the night of May 14-15 on Joseph Claes Street, when a witness alerted police after seeing a person being forcibly dragged into a vehicle.
The Brussels Federal Judicial Police (PJF) launched an immediate investigation and, with the assistance of the Rivierenland police zone, quickly located one of the vehicles involved. Soon after, the East and West Flanders road police helped identify a second vehicle connected to the case.
As the operation intensified, Antwerp navigation police received an urgent report from German authorities concerning a possible hostage situation.
A journalist had informed German police that a friend had been kidnapped and that a ransom demand had been made. This report enabled Antwerp’s Federal Judicial Police to identify the alleged victim and link the case to the eyewitness account from Saint-Gilles.
A few hours later, around 1:30 a.m., police intercepted three suspects near Marke in West Flanders.
After initial questioning, two were released, while the third suspect was taken into custody. The kidnapping victim was located in good health several days later.
Further investigations by the Brussels PJF revealed that the abduction may have been an act of retaliation for the theft of five kilograms of cocaine.
Authorities suspect that the perpetrators demanded a ransom as compensation for the missing drugs. However, the accused individuals have denied these claims, maintaining their innocence.
The case saw new developments in September 2024, when two additional suspects were arrested following extensive police inquiries.
With all three individuals now set to face trial in May 2025, the Brussels Correctional Court will determine their role in the alleged crime and the validity of the drug-related motives suggested by investigators.
The trial is expected to shed further light on the incident and the potential involvement of organized crime in Brussels’ drug trade. Authorities continue to monitor the case closely, as they work to dismantle criminal networks operating in the region.
Local residents of Saint-Gilles, a densely populated area in the Belgian capital, expressed concern over the violent nature of the incident. “Hearing about a kidnapping just outside my home was terrifying,” said one resident. “I hope justice is served, and that we can feel safe in our neighbourhood.”
With the upcoming trial, prosecutors will present the evidence gathered over the past year, while the defense aims to challenge the accusations. The case has drawn public interest due to its connections to drug-related violence, a growing concern in several Belgian cities.
As legal proceedings move forward, the court’s ruling will not only determine the fate of the accused but also send a strong message about the authorities’ stance on organized crime and drug-related kidnappings in the region.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
