Harrowing images from the infamous Alhambra district in Brussels. Women are literally at each other’s throats after yet another dispute. The neighborhood continues to suffer from nuisance from squatters, drugs and prostitution.
On Tuesday evening, a fourth building was squatted in the Alhambra district. The former prostitution hotel Studio Europa, which closed its doors at the end of June, consists of part apartments and part hotel. The building is currently occupied by several Roma families with children. The former café Tropicana is also occupied by Roma. The squats on Antwerpselaan are no longer occupied as of this week, according to Jan Leerman of the Alhambra neighborhood committee. The squatted building at Antwerpselaan 10/11 would no longer be inhabited and the other squatted building at Antwerpselaan 23/24, a shipyard inhabited by drug addicts, would be better closed off at night by the shipyard workers. The police cannot confirm for the time being whether the squatters have left the two buildings.
Row
When the former prostitution hotel was broken into on Tuesday evening, a brief argument broke out between the Roma families and drug addicts from the neighborhood. According to Leerman, it is a novelty that Roma families compete to occupy properties. “We have been suffering from drug-addicted sex workers in the neighborhood for some time, who hide somewhere every evening,” says Leerman. “The problem with Studio Europa is that it concerns a hotel and four apartments. Two apartments are for sale and visits are also planned. The owner may not want to board up the door.”
Lasagna structure
“We are paying the price for the lasagna structure in Brussels, where no one is responsible.” According to Leerman, both Brussels Prime Minister Rudi Vervoort (PS) and the federal government must urgently take their responsibility. “A global approach is needed,” says Leerman.
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