2023-11-14 15:38:49
It was an expected hearing which took place Tuesday morning at the Verviers criminal court: justice looked into an altercation that occurred in 2016 in Theux between, on the one hand, the cyclists Philippe Gilbert and Loïc Vliegen, and on the other hand, a motorist and his brother. In this case, the prosecution requested simple convictions.
During this hearing, Philippe Gilbert was absent. The president asked why. His lawyer responded that his employer, Eurosports, did not want to release him. A response which surprised the president as well as the King’s prosecutor.
Facts in two stages
The events took place in two stages. The cyclists were training, in the company of a cycle tourist, on the national road linking Spa to Theux when they were overtaken in a dangerous manner, they considered, by the driver of the car. A first altercation followed: Loïc Vliegen went up to the vehicle, before being pushed sharply to the left because, he believes, of the motorist’s steering wheel. For these facts, the public prosecutor considered the malicious obstruction of traffic.
A second scene took place a little further away, and a few minutes later in the center of Theux where the athletes came across the car immobilized by traffic. Witnesses reported a beating scene initiated by the two athletes. Philippe Gilbert had used pepper spray. He suffered a fracture to his left hand. For these facts, the public prosecutor considers, however, that the occupants of the car acted in self-defense. On the other hand, the assault and battery have been established against the two cyclists, he concluded.
The judgment is announced for December 12.
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