Investigation into Violent Biker Gang Clash in Western Hainaut – Latest Updates

2023-08-01 14:50:38

These last weeks have been marked, in western Hainaut, by a scene of extreme violence during the festivities under the marquee of Péronnes, in the entity of Antoing. On the night of July 14 to 15, a man was beaten with a hammer while another was fatally hit by a vehicle. Quickly, the facts had been identified as a settling of scores between rival biker gangs. Several members of the Hells Angels were in the sights of investigators.

Last Thursday, searches were carried out in the premises of the Hells, located in Leuze-en-Hainaut. Four arrest warrants were then issued. The four suspects appeared this Tuesday morning in the council chamber.

The investigation continues

Prior to the hearing, they were charged with murder and attempted murder. Some people might only dispute their participation, directly or indirectly, in the events. One of the accused men, following an anonymous denunciation, denied his presence at the scene of the crime. The individual in question is not part of the Hells, but of a friendly motorcycle club. It finally turns out that the man was released.

At this stage, although there has been a first step with this passage before the council chamber, the investigation is still in its infancy. Several elements such as video surveillance images, telephone exchanges, identification of witnesses, etc. must be analyzed and verified. It is not excluded that other arrests will be issued a little later.

“A Surprising Call”

On the side of the defence, it is insisted on the fact that no objective element can, at present, define the role of the four indicted persons. “The point of view that we wanted to put forward is that my client was not present on the scene. There would apparently be testimony confirming his presence in Péronnes that evening. But this is invalidated by a testimony presented at the hearing this morning, ”underlines Me Fabrice Guttadauria. “The telephony also confirms that my client was indeed at home at the time of the incident. »

The prosecution nevertheless specifies that the aggravating circumstance of premeditation was retained by the investigating magistrate. He adds that he is appealing this release. The case is therefore provisionally sent back to the indictment chamber in Mons. “To my surprise, I heard this news. This is an unexpected turn of events. The prosecution had specified to refer to the court decision. He has obviously changed his mind, ”adds Me Guttadauria. Contact should be made quickly with the investigating judge to prevent the extension of the preventive detention.

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