Four Belgian servicemen arrested after a brawl in Norway face charges of grievous bodily harm. "They are currently being questioned," Lena Romestrand of the Norwegian police told reporters on Sunday.
The incident happened around 2am on Saturday night in the centre of the small town of Åndalsnes in the south-west of the country. An altercation turned into a brawl. Four people were injured in the incident.
One Norwegian was taken to hospital and probably had to stay in hospital for at least another day but could be briefly questioned. Two others involved also had to be examined by doctors.
The four Belgians were - the only ones - arrested and have since been officially charged with grievous bodily harm, a serious charge in Norway, according to Romestrand. According to daily VG the Belgians have meanwhile been released and asked not to leave the country while the investigation is ongoing .
Belgian military police attended the scene, but the interrogation is being carried out by Norwegian police, Romestrand said. A translator-interpreter is also present. The Belgian military did not want to comment in order not to hamper the investigation.
20 to 30 people involved
Norwegian newspaper VG and public broadcaster NRK reported that the brawl happened outside the pub Nabo'n Pub. According to owner Jovie Nerland, things got out of hand after closing time. That is when 20 to 30 people started a brawl, Nerland said. She then called the police.
No trouble with Belgians before
Nerland stresses that there have never been any incidents with Belgians in the past. "We only have good experiences with them," she exclaimed.
Between 20 and 40 years old
The Belgian army has been visiting Norway to train in the country's excellent winter conditions for many years. Over the past few days, some 200 Belgian paratroopers were on an exercise in Åndalsnes.
The paras belong to the 2nd Battalion Command stationed in Flawinne (Wallonia). The arrested soldiers are said to be aged between 20 and 40. Romestrand said whether they are men and/or women, and what language they speak, was not allowed to be communicated.
