The 38-year-old man that was arrested on suspicion of the murder of a social worker in the East Flemish city of Ghent will remain in custody. The decision that he should stay on remand was taken by magistrates in Ghent on Tuesday morning. As yet the suspect has failed to provide any answers as to why he stabbed the social worker to death last Wednesday afternoon.
The 38-year-old Syrian was apprehended several hours after the murder that took place at his flat on the Nieuw Gent social house estate in the south of the city. He was detained several kilometres away at the Brugse Poort on the western edge of Ghent City Centre. He has been in custody since then and has been formally arrested and charged with murder.
The suspect will normally remain on remand for a least a month. In the meantime, a group of mental health experts will examine the man, who reportedly has a history of psychiatric issues. A strike at Ghent Prison meant that the suspect was not present in court on Tuesday morning.
His lawyer Ann Van de Steen told journalists that "It would be idiotic for us to object to him remaining on remand”.
“He is accused of an extremely serious crime. He is aware of this but at the moment he is remaining silent.” VRT News sources say that the suspect didn’t make a statement during questioning.
Ms Van de Steen saw her client briefly yesterday and will visit the prison again next week. Currently she is unable to comment on her client’s motive.