A masked man who pushed a guide into the waters of a Bruges canal in early July has turned himself in to police. The assailant, a resident of the historical city and tourist hotspot Bruges (West Flanders), calls himself the ‘Masked Lover of Architecture’. He has admitted pushing the guide into the canal on purpose in protest against what he sees as the Dutch guide’s lack of respect for our architectural heritage.
Masked assailant who pushed guide into Bruges canal turns himself in to police
Colin Clapson
Published:
After the incident that made international headlines, the masked attacker sent VRT NEWS an email explaining why he had thrown the guide into the water. He is annoyed by the behaviour of the Dutch guide, who, for example, stands or sits on the walls of the historical bridges of Bruges to address his group. According to the masked man, this is not allowed. He also objects to the guide turning his tours into ‘circus acts’
The guide, who was pushed into the water, is Dutch national Pascal Gerritsen. He was not injured in the incident but filed a complaint. An official report has now been drawn up and the prosecutor's office will decide whether or not to prosecute the assailant on account of GBH. Why the masked man turned himself in at this juncture is not yet known.
Guide seeks dialogue with 'canal pusher'
Now that the guide’s attacker has come forward, Mr Gerritsen is eager to talk with him. "I am somewhat surprised that this person has turned himself in," responded the guide, who now lives locally, in Zedelgem (West Flanders). "I haven't heard from the police myself yet, but when I reported the matter, I had indicated that I would like to have a conversation with this person."
"I want to know why he pushed me, but I will also ask him if he realises the risks involved. Could this conversation affect the complaint I filed? Maybe. Maybe I'll leave the matter as it is, but that depends on our conversation."
Mr Gerritsen is annoyed by the many comments made about his style of guiding. He believes that what his attacker did was absolutely unacceptable. Still, he has adjusted his style of guiding somewhat. "A little bit yes. I step onto walls now instead of jumping onto them. But I believe I’m standing or sitting there, for a very good reason, I'm not going to change that."
"I'm also encouraged by reactions from colleagues, who have spoken to me in the street. Many have urged me not to change my style!"