Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – A 22-year-old bartender from café Zeezicht in Antwerp, accused of multiple rapes, has been released as investigations into the serious allegations continue.
According to the indictment chamber, he is no longer required to wear an ankle monitor. The man is still prohibited from communicating with the five ladies engaged in the investigation.
After at least two women complained that he had assaulted them, the student bartender at Café Zeezicht, Belgium, was taken into custody in early April. He was banned from contacting the women in question and put under electronic surveillance. He refuted the facts himself.
The indictment chamber voted to free him on Tuesday. Ankle monitors will no longer be required on the suspected bartender. Het Laatste Nieuws reported this, and Johan Platteau, his attorney, verified the information.
“Both the council chamber and the KI saw no reason to keep him in custody. The judicial investigation is now continuing,”
says Platteau.
“The contact ban normally remains in effect, but I can assure you that my client has absolutely no need for contact with the women involved.”
A number of ladies were allegedly raped by the student worker after she got them intoxicated after closing time. Allegedly, the facts occurred over a longer time span.
Why was the bartender of Cafe Zeezicht released after accusations?
After being questioned, the bartender from Antwerp’s Café Zeezicht was freed since the inquiry is still underway and there was not urgent evidence or legal justification to hold him in custody. There may be more victims, but at least two women have accused him of rape, claiming he purposefully made them intoxicated before attacking them. The legal proceedings are still ongoing, and the Antwerp prosecutor’s office has not yet verified the precise number of victims.
Sarhan Basem is Brussels Morning's Senior Correspondent to the European Parliament. With a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, Sarhan brings a unique blend of linguistic finesse and analytical prowess to his reporting. Specializing in foreign affairs, human rights, civil liberties, and security issues, he delves deep into the intricacies of global politics to provide insightful commentary and in-depth coverage. Beyond the world of journalism, Sarhan is an avid traveler, exploring new cultures and cuisines, and enjoys unwinding with a good book or indulging in outdoor adventures whenever possible.
