Challenge request rejected in case of attempted murder at No Surrender

Oral arguments were scheduled for March 6, but have been postponed to April 17.

Pedro B. was found heavily beaten in an industrial area in Mouscron around 4:30 am on December 15, 2018. The native of Bruges first claimed that he had been kidnapped by some unknown persons, but eleven months later he explained that it was a settlement within the West Flemish chapter of motorcycle club No Surrender. Most of the defendants were eventually arrested on January 21, 2020 on suspicion of attempted murder.

In the run-up to the previous hearing, the victim decided to file a civil suit after all. In those circumstances, defense arguments were postponed to March 6. The defense of Angelo T. (47) asked for a short postponement, because master Frank Scheerlinck also has a case in the court of assizes in Tongeren at the same time. When the judges ignored that question, Master Scheerlinck filed a challenge request on 14 February.

Meanwhile, the Ghent Court of Appeal ruled that the challenge request was submitted too late. The trial may therefore continue with the same judges. However, the defense can still go to the Court of Cassation. In those circumstances, oral arguments will be postponed to the April 17 hearing.