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🇧🇪 Belgium /Crime & Justice

Vandals deface apartment block where Flemish Interest councilor lives

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • An apartment building in Lievegem, Belgium, was vandalized overnight, with graffiti targeting the building where a local councilor lives.
  • The councilor, Van Arnhem, stated the vandalism occurred without provocation and noted that the building is no longer his property, though he still resides there.
  • The act has affected seven other families living in the building, and the councilor condemned it as an attack on democratic discourse.

An apartment block in Lievegem, Belgium, was defaced with graffiti during the night, an act of vandalism that has disturbed residents, including local councilor Van Arnhem.

The incident occurred between Friday night and Saturday morning. Van Arnhem, who has lived in the building for six years and displayed flags and posters respectfully, expressed dismay at the unprovoked attack. He pointed out that the property was sold earlier this year, although he continues to live there.

For 6 years I have lived here, hanging out my flags and posters with all due respect for the surroundings. That this now happens without provocation... And this while it has not been my property for several months.

— Van ArnhemThe councilor describes the circumstances and his feelings about the vandalism.

The vandalism has also impacted the other seven families residing in the apartment complex. None of the residents reported seeing or hearing anything suspicious during the incident. Van Arnhem strongly condemned the act, stating that such actions "poison the atmosphere in our streets and municipality."

He further emphasized that in a healthy democracy, disagreements should be settled through arguments, debates, conversations, and at the ballot box, not through "disgusting actions."

Actions like these poison the atmosphere in our streets and municipality. In a healthy democracy, you fight standpoints with arguments, debates, conversations and via the ballot box. Not with these disgusting actions.

— Van ArnhemThe councilor condemns the vandalism and contrasts it with democratic principles.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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