The victims turned out to have been brought to Zeebrugge by a 43-year-old Ukrainian. The suspect was arrested on the spot for human smuggling. That same day, two suspects were also arrested in the United Kingdom. The 33-year-old man from Southampton and the 55-year-old man from Bournemouth were both arrested in Bournemouth. According to the public prosecutor’s office, all suspects are part of a criminal organization that would smuggle people from Albania to the United Kingdom. The gang is also said to be based in the United Kingdom.
After questioning, the West Flemish public prosecutor’s office decided to bring the Ukrainian suspect before the investigating judge. He then decided to arrest the forty-year-old on suspicion of human smuggling and membership of a criminal organization. On Monday afternoon, the council chamber in Bruges ruled that he must remain in prison for at least a month longer.
The investigation into the Ukrainian’s share will be continued by the FGP West Flanders, led by the Bruges investigating judge.