Café boss is on trial for corona infringements, but refuses to wear a mouth mask in court
Hans B. (51) and about thirty sympathizers refused to wear a mouth mask, as a result of which they were not allowed to enter the courthouse on Friday morning. The case was eventually heard in absentia.
As the face of Belgians for Freedom, Hans B. has been resisting the corona policy for some time. In the spring of 2021, for example, he once threatened to open the Kingsclub, despite the ban. Inspections at the end of November 2021 and the end of January 2022 actually found infringements, according to the Public Prosecution Service. B. and his staff would have systematically refused to wear a mouth mask. In addition, they would also have always refused to check the Covid Safe Ticket (CST) of the customers.
On Friday morning, the defendant went to court with a group of sympathizers. However, in the entrance hall of the building, the group was stopped by the police. After all, they refused to wear a mouth mask, while this is still mandatory during movements in the courthouse. During his trial, B. should in principle have taken off his mouth mask. After an hour of discussion with the police, the group finally backed off.
Judgment on April 1
At the end of the hearing, it could only be established that Hans B. was absent. “However, I expected that he would come forward,” said prosecutor Guy Billiouw, referring to the defendant’s struggle against the corona measures. Infringements against the Royal Decree, such as non-compliance with the mouth mask obligation, invariably come before the police court. However, the use of the CST is laid down in a Flemish decree. In such cases, the criminal court has jurisdiction.
The judge will rule on April 1. By then, a mouth mask in the courthouse will no longer be mandatory.