According to Norwegian media reports Norwegian prosecutors are demanding prison sentences for eight Belgian soldiers involved in a brawl at a pub in Norway in February. A verdict is expected within two weeks.
Norwegian prosecutor seeks gaol sentences against Belgian military after pub brawl
Colin Clapson
Published:
The soldiers were involved in a brawl at a pub in Åndalsnes, Norway, on the night of Saturday 17 February. The Belgians were in Norway on an exercise. The are now on trial facing charges of violent behaviour and disturbing public order. Six face an additional charge of group violence.
The prosecution is demanding a 60-day gaol sentence for three of the soldiers. For the others involved, custodial sentences of 30, 24 and 21 days are being sought, reports Norwegian broadcaster NRK. The Belgians risk ending up in gaol, though sentences of up to six months can be served by wearing an electronic tag.
Was it self-defence?
Speaking with Belgian press agency Belga, one of the soldiers' lawyers, Steinar Wiik Sørvik, doubted that it would actually come to the custodial sentences, “because of the behaviour of Norwegians during the incident”.
He has asked for the acquittal for his client, as did the other defence lawyers. The question is whether the soldiers acted in legitimate self-defence and whether all defendants were correctly identified.