The mayor of Antwerp, Bart De Wever, will use a new measure to maintain the house arrest of a young repeat offender, the councilor’s spokesperson confirmed on Friday evening. This measure is a response to the opinion of the auditor of the Council of State issued earlier today.
The parents of a 17-year-old teenager have contacted the Council of State (CE) to contest his house arrest, imposed preventively for New Year’s Eve by the Antwerp mayor. On Friday, the CE auditor considered that there was reason to suspend this decision. “The applicant argued in particular that the reasons given to justify the mayor’s decision are disproportionate to the serious consequences of the latter”, clarifies the auditor’s opinion. The latter considers that the argument is serious and that therefore, the decision is indicated within the framework of the present summary procedure.
At the end of a meeting with his advisor, Bart De Wever nevertheless decided that a new house arrest would be implemented, this time, with better arguments. “An appropriate measure will be imposed,” says a spokesperson. “The framework for applying preventive house arrests will be more in-depth. We thank the Council of State for looking into the issue.”
According to Mr. De Wever, the highest legal authority absolutely does not call into question the instrument of preventive house arrests. The CE will issue a final judgment on Monday. “We are taking into account the recommendations made by the Council during the session and we will follow up on them legally”we specify in the mayor’s office.
Anderlecht concerned
The Council of State was also seized of a request for suspension in extreme urgency and a request for annulment aimed at banning the movement of minors in the Cureghem district of Anderlecht.
From 7:00 p.m., young people under the age of 16 will only be able to go out accompanied by a parent or guardian, decided Mayor Fabrice Cumps (PS). A measure “protection”, in particular against the use of fireworks and the injuries that they can inflict when mishandled, according to the councilor.
The case will be examined by the Council of State on Monday at 11:00 a.m.
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