Due to the timing of the riot – Friday evening – the police had to call in many off-duty officers. “That means it takes a while before we can perform. As soon as we had enough men, that could happen,” says Rudy Remijsen, spokesperson for the Turnhout Police Region. In addition to the police, the fire brigade also arrived on site. A fire was also set by the insurgents. “There is no reason to panic. There are currently no escapes. Some detainees had ended up between the double fence. Our colleagues receive the support of other forces in the region and are doing everything they can to normalize the situation as quickly as possible,” the police said.
It is not yet clear why the detainees rebelled. Ex-radio maker Sven Pichal has also been staying in Turnhout prison for several weeks. This week he had his arrest extended in the ongoing investigation into the possession and distribution of images of child abuse.