The man suspected of killing a 56-year-old staff member of Ghent’s (East Flanders) Social Services Department (OCMW) is a 38-year-old man that came to Belgium from Syria. He has psychiatric issue and reportedly remained silent when he was questioned about the killing on Thursday. This is what we know so far.
Ghent social worker’s suspected killer is a 38-year-old Syrian with mental health issues
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On Wednesday evening the body of a 56-year-old man that works for OCMW Ghent was found at flat on the Kikvorsstraat on the Nieuw Gent social housing estate.
Not long afterwards a 38-year-old man was arrested a few kilometres away at the Brugse Poort in Ghent. The suspect lives in the flat, on the second floor of the Milenka Building, where the body was found. Shortly after the killing, a CCTV camera filmed the suspect drawing money from an ATM, not far from the Belfry and the Stadsfeestzaal.
Mental health issues
The man is a Syrian that has been living in Belgium for several years. He has no criminal record and is not known to have any drug or other addiction issues. He does, however, have mental health issues and has reportedly been admitted to psychiatric care facilities several times.
The suspect was questioned on Thursday. However, VRT News sources says that he exercised his right to remain silent and has not yet given a statement. A group of psychiatric health experts will be appointed to examine him. A decision on his further detention will be made on Tuesday.