Kortrijk (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Police believe that a man from Kortrijk, now 24, terrorized the Sint-Elisabeth district 3 years ago by throwing stones at the roofs, verandas, and terraces of several homes. It is impressive that the suspect lives close by.
A man who is now 24 is suspected of throwing stones at houses and balconies in Kortrijk’s Sint-Elisabeth district some years ago. It is worth noting that the person under suspicion lives nearby. He also started holding gatherings to talk about the issue of stone throwing. He has to go to court in November, as reported by VRT.
In the summer of 2022, people in the Sint-Elisabeth district in Kortrijk were shocked by the first reports of the stone thrower. Small and large stones were being thrown at night. Some rooftops, domes, and glass tables got damaged. A man nearby came close to being hit by a boulder weighing close to 2 kilograms. Later in the year, the noise of air gunshots at night alarmed the neighbours as well. There is no proof that one person carried out all the murders.
Even after looking for him, the police could not catch the stone thrower in the act. Meanwhile, investigators have found someone who could be involved. It is claimed by the authorities that a 24-year-old man from Sint-Denijsestraat is to blame for the terror. It is said that he arranged the events to look like strangers were terrorising the area.
The man is regarded as an active member of the local community. He acted as the leader for the local SAVE network and arranged gatherings in the neighbourhood to discuss the stone throwing. He was portrayed in the public eye as a victim of the truth.
The case will be considered in court by November. Officers are hoping to get money from the government to help cover their expenses during the search. Police officers stepped up patrols in the area and used drones and thermal imaging cameras. Attorney Randall Huysentruyt:
“The police have been in the neighbourhood a lot, even with special units. We will have to calculate the exact costs for this later, but that will quickly be 20,000 euros.”
What is the background of previous incidents in Kortrijk’s Sint-Elisabeth District?
In Kortrijk, Belgium, the Sint-Elisabeth district has been affected by a lot of disturbances and vandalism in the last few years. In the last three years, a number of people threw stones at roofs, verandas, and terraces. Due to this wave of damaged homes, people in the area felt fear and did not trust one another, as the culprit was unknown for a while.
In the months and weeks leading up to these events, attacks against religious sites were already a problem in the district. Crossed-out crosses and other nagging messages were painted on the walls of the Sint-Elisabeth Church in Kortrijk, revealing issues of disrespect toward city property. Because of these incidents, the residents felt anxious, and it became even more difficult to maintain safety and peace in the neighbourhood.
