2023-11-19 17:22:50
It is one of the biggest assize trials ever organized in Limburg which opens this Friday in Tongeren. Thirteen people will have to answer for the assassination of Hilal Makhtout, 33, kidnapped in March 2019, then tortured before being taken to Forzée (Rochefort) where he was killed.
Hilal Makhtout was in his garage in Genk with a friend when five individuals burst in on March 9, 2019. After beating him, they threw him in the trunk of a car.
The victim was tortured before being killed. -Belang Van Limburg
The victim was then taken to a cellar under a garage and then to another garage. These two places belonged to two accused. She suffered several beatings there, including being beaten with a hammer and burned on the head with cigarettes.
The accused then took Hilal Makhtout to a chalet located in Forzée (Rochefort) in the province of Namur, on March 11. Where they tortured him once more.
The lifeless body was found in a chalet. -DR
On March 12, 2019, the owner of the chalet discovered the victim’s remains, partly wrapped in a duvet on a bed, with only pants on. His face was purple and black. Autopsies carried out by forensic doctors showed that Hilal Makhtout had been beaten all over his body and had suffered prolonged agony.
The young man’s death is believed to be part of the disappearance of part of a shipment of three kilos of cocaine, worth 100,000 euros. In addition, a safe containing the proceeds of drug sales was also allegedly emptied.
The accused, twelve aged in their twenties and one in their thirties, must answer for torture resulting in death and criminal association.
The composition of the jury will take place on Tuesday. The trial, which begins Friday, is expected to last four weeks. During the first three weeks, 85 witnesses will speak.
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