Belgian police detain nine minors following clashes near Brussels station

Belgian police arrested ten people, including nine minors, after clashes involving hundreds of young people broke out near Brussels-Midi railway station on Monday, 12 October. Euronews reported that officers were targeted with stones and fireworks on the sidelines of a national strike and a student gathering. In response, police used tear gas and water cannon against the crowds. [1]

Groups of protesters moved between Brussels-Midi station, Place Bara, and the Cureghem neighbourhood, with some dispersing into the nearby areas of Anderlecht and Saint-Gilles before returning, according to Euronews. Local authorities temporarily closed the Clemenceau metro station as a car, several scooters, and street furniture were set on fire. [1]

The unrest follows ongoing demonstrations against Belgian government policy. As FTMQ News reported earlier, as many as 30,000 demonstrators previously gathered in Brussels to protest against proposed education budget cuts, as part of a government effort to save at least 10 billion euros to reduce its deficit. Protests have also hit other cities in Belgium, leading to more than 100 arrests in Liege and flight cancellations at Brussels Airport on 9 October. [7]

Belgium is a federal parliamentary democracy under a constitutional monarchy with King Philippe as head of state. It hosts the headquarters of both NATO and the European Union in Brussels. [6]