On Friday morning, the judge declared the criminal proceedings against the alleged human smuggler inadmissible. According to the judge, the rights of defense were too seriously violated to be able to speak of a fair trial. The judgment referred to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
However, the Bruges department of the West Flanders public prosecutor’s office announced on Monday that it has filed an appeal against the verdict. “The appeal means that the case will be heard and assessed again at a later date by the court of appeal in Ghent,” it said.