18.10.2026 22:32
Protests held simultaneously with France also turned violent in Belgium. During demonstrations in Brussels that began against education cuts, stones were thrown at police, 5 police officers were slightly injured, and 150 people were detained. In Liège, a group that barricaded the highway entrance was intervened with water cannons and tear gas, and 45 people were detained. It was announced that some of those detained were minors.
In the protests held in Belgium yesterday, 150 people were detained in Brussels, where 5 police officers were injured, and 45 people in the city of Liege.
HIGHWAY CLOSED WITH BARRICADE IN LIEGE
The toll of the protest demonstrations held in Belgium simultaneously with France has been announced. Liege police reported that a group of 200 to 250 people gathered peacefully in front of the Guillemins Train Station in the city early yesterday morning, and then the gathered crowd advanced in a procession to Place Saint-Lambert square. According to the statement, bus traffic first stopped due to the sit-in held here. Around noon, the group headed toward the Cadran area and began blocking some roads, especially highway access in the direction of Brussels. The group then closed the highway entrance with barricades. In the afternoon, tensions gradually rose. A group of about 30 people from those remaining at Place Saint-Lambert was surrounded by police. In the evening, a group of about 50 people setting off fireworks opened fire toward the provincial government building. Thereupon, the police took action and used water cannon and tear gas to disperse the crowd.
Liege police announced that 45 detentions were made in the incidents, 40 administrative and 5 judicial, and that 12 of them were minors. It also reported that damage to public property was reported in the city due to reasons such as garbage containers being set on fire.
EDUCATION CUTS PROTEST IN BRUSSELS TURNED INTO CLASHES
In the capital Brussels, in the clashes that began after the demonstration held in front of the central train station, some of the protesters began throwing stones and various objects at police. According to Brussels police, security forces took action after the disturbances concentrated around Midi Train Station and the Anderlecht district and intervened against the protesters. During the intervention, police teams spraying pressurized water from TOMA vehicles used many tear gas bombs. During the incidents, a total of 150 people were detained in Brussels. Of these, 118 were recorded as administrative detentions and 32 as judicial detentions.
Police stated that 15 of the judicial detainees were minors. It was announced that the investigation into the people detained on charges of throwing stones at police, violating public order, and arson is ongoing. Police stated that identity checks were continuing and that the number of detentions could increase. It was announced that 5 police officers were slightly injured in the clashes.
SCHOOLS ENTERED HOLIDAY, POLICE ON ALERT
In Belgium, primary and secondary schools have entered a two-week holiday period. No barricade actions are expected in front of schools during the mid-term holiday days, but the police remain on alert due to the possibility that more students may be able to carry out actions without concerns about absenteeism because of the holiday.