Ostend (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A 23-year-old man barricaded himself in Ostend’s Europa Centre in May 2025, attacked police with chilli sauce and a knife, and was sentenced to 3 years and fines for 2 officers.
As VRT News reported, a 23-year-old man who barricaded himself inside the Europa Centre in Ostend in May 2025 has been sentenced to 3 years in prison. The prosecutor had requested a 3-year suspended sentence with conditions, but the court imposed a full prison term. The man must also pay €300 and €100 in damages to 2 police officers involved in the operation.
What led to the 3-year sentence for the Ostend man who attacked police
On May 7, 2025, emergency services were called to the Europa Centre in Ostend after a man’s roommate reported that the defendant had ransacked their apartment. Police arrived to find the 23-year-old locked inside his room. When officers tried to enter, he threw spicy chilli sauce at them, irritating one officer’s eye.
The man then armed himself with a large chef’s knife and barricaded the door, while setting some papers on fire. Authorities noted he appeared to be under the influence of cannabis and amphetamines. Due to the dangerous situation, the police called in the special assistance team to safely secure the scene and prevent further harm.
