AT Ghent, the names of 20 alleged members of the “Reuzegom” student circle, implicated in the death of a student, have been written on the walls of a street called “the street of graffiti”. Even if this street is intended to accommodate murals, the municipal authorities have decided to erase these names registered under the mention “The killers of Reuzegom”.
On May 26, 18 members of the Reuzegom student circle of KU Leuven were convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to community service for the death of Sanda Dia during a student baptism, a judgment denounced considered too lenient by some and which gave rise to demonstrations.
The mayor of Ghent Mathias De Clercq (Open Vld) says he understands the indignation aroused by the outcome of the trial. But he “subscribes to the rule of law” and “rejects the society of the pillory”. Previously, the names of members of the Reuzegom circle were also written on the town hall. There too, the city had the names removed and filed a complaint.
Read also Death of student Sanda Dia: In Antwerp, the “Reuzegommers” beg forgiveness and clemency
A first protest action in memory of Sanda Dia was held in Ghent on Wednesday and a new action will take place this weekend. Similar movements also took place in other Flemish cities such as Leuven and Antwerp.
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