Two local men from Bruges, aged 38 and 39, suspected of torture, remain in custody for an extra month. The two men were detained last week after a badly injured man was found in the street in the centre of the West Flemish capital.
It was on Wednesday 23 October that a badly injured man was found in the centre of Bruges. The 36-year-old local man had been beaten up in a house in Bruges, but had eventually managed to escape. He was immediately rushed to hospital. Though serious, his injuries were never life-threatening.
The police immediately launched an investigation. Based on the victim's statements, officers soon had two suspects in their sights. The 38-year-old occupant of the house and a 39-year-old acquaintance staying with him were detained a day later. Police questioned both suspects.
An examining magistrate then decided to arrest both men on suspicion of torture and depriving somebody of his liberty. The 39-year-old suspect's partner was also arrested on suspicion of failing to provide help to a person in need, but was then conditionally released.
The two suspects appeared in court a first time on Tuesday morning, when the decision was taken to detain both men for another month.