Information confirmed by the spokesperson for the Brussels firefighters, Walter Derieuw : “Unfortunately clashes took place between the security services and some firefighters along the route. The Brussels Fire Brigade regrets this confrontation and deplores any form of violence towards the police.”
Four police officers “slightly injured” following an incident with around ten firefighters: “tear gas was used”
But this Tuesday, the CGSP Siamu took action against his assertions: “The recent press releases accusing our firefighters of having attacked the police with tear gas and causing injuries to several officers are extremely serious. These allegations, quickly relayed by the press and the Siamu spokesperson, undermine to the honor and integrity of our profession.”
The union relies on video images to question the comments made by the police spokesperson: “The facts that we learned about through the videos broadcast clearly show an isolated firefighter thrown to the ground then severely immobilized by several police officers. Colleagues concerned about the state of the man on the ground tried to help him.”
-“Urgent to start a respectful and constructive dialogue”
“We firmly denounce these visibly unfounded accusations and deplore a one-sided vision, without questioning the police reaction. A firefighter (who had perhaps exceeded the police cordon by a few centimeters?) was, according to the images posted online, hit and thrown to the ground The use of a ‘pepper spray’ is also attested, but it is in the hands of a police officer. The police officers do not wear a mask and the reasonable estimate is that the spray which was used. inconvenienced his colleagues was held by a police officer”continues the CGSP press release which considers that a “adequate correction” should have been released by the police.
National strike: 30,000 demonstrators in the streets of Brussels, incidents on the sidelines of the procession
In view of the images, the CGSP also questions the veracity of the statements made in the police press release, particularly concerning the four injured police officers. “It is urgent to begin a respectful and constructive dialogue to restore a peaceful climate. If going beyond the planned event area is not authorized (provided that this is the case), it seems difficult to us that this situation justifies the spectacular projection on the ground that we witnessed. The other colleagues present have their hands open in front of them to avoid a bad blow and try to pick up their colleague to help him. They are visibly stressed but without aggressive gestures. The projected firefighter is probably the only person in whom we could spontaneously fear injury when we view the broadcast images.”concludes the union.
