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Student demonstrations in the Belgian city of Liege turned violent on Tuesday, as protesters smashed windows, set fires and clashed with police. Hundreds took part in protests against education policies and rising public transport fares, according to local media.
A group broke several windows at the Royal Athenaeum of Liege 1 and set a rubbish bin on fire, prompting the deployment of riot police and a water cannon, broadcaster “RTBF” reported.
The demonstration later split into several groups, with protesters gathering near Liege-Guillemins railway station, Fragnee Bridge and Saint-Lambert Square. Several businesses, including the Saint-Lambert shopping centre, temporarily closed their doors amid the unrest.
Firecrackers and fireworks were set off in several parts of the city. Police used tear gas and a water cannon to disperse protesters after rubbish bins and scooters were set on fire between Saint-Lambert Square and the city’s Opera House. Traffic in central Liege was severely disrupted.
The Liege Public Prosecutor’s Office said on Tuesday that 33 people had been placed under administrative arrest and 20 under judicial arrest since Oct. 1. The figures included 17 minors. Authorities said 12 people had been referred to the courthouse by Liege authorities.
The prosecutor’s office also said that 22 police officers in Liege were injured during incidents on Monday. A 13-year-old boy appeared before a juvenile court after allegedly using social media to urge others to set fire to a school with jerrycans, the office said.
Belgian defence minister renews call for national service
Defence Minister Theo Francken condemned the violence in a post on “Facebook”, saying teenagers were vandalising schools and attacking teachers and police officers.
Francken renewed his call to restore national service, saying it should not be limited to military duties and could include work in fields such as healthcare and education. He also criticised “TikTok”, calling it a tool for “destabilizing Western societies” and urging that it be banned.
The protests in Belgium came as French high school students had been blocking access to their schools and staging demonstrations for several days, demanding better learning conditions.
