Some absent witnesses asked for an acquittal this morning. For example, a 44-year-old woman from Oostkamp claimed that she was barely five minutes late. A 35-year-old resident of Bruges stated that he had asked for an exemption in advance, but had never received an answer. Most other defendants also emphasized that they had no intention of evading their civic duty.
Three defendants also sent their cats to the hearing. One of them is the only one who faces a fine of 960 euros. The Public Prosecution Service explained that the 30-year-old Bruges resident had already been convicted in recent years.
The judge will rule on all files on February 20.