Belgium: demonstrators denounce a verdict too lenient after the death of a hazed student

Around 500 people demonstrated in tribute to Sanda Dia on Sunday 4 June afternoon in front of the Brussels courthouse. The 20-year-old student of Senegalese origin had been the victim of a brutal hazing in Flanders, leading to his death in 2018. The 18 students tried in this case were sentenced Friday, May 26 to 400 euros in fines and community service. The demonstrators denounce a two-speed and too lenient justice.

Audio 01:24

Protesters denounce the verdict after Sanda Dia's death, in front of the Brussels courthouse, June 4, 2023. © Kenzo Tribouillard / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

Advertising

Read more

It is a peaceful, silent gathering, but the anger is palpable: the demonstrators brandish the portrait of Sanda Dia. In 2018, the Antwerp student, who was then starting his engineering studies at the prestigious Catholic University of Leuven (KU Leuven), participated in two days of hazing, called "baptism" in Belgium, reports our correspondent in Brussels, Laxmi Lota.

He had to swallow live fish, spend hours in an ice water well in the middle of winter or drink too much fish oil in a very salty mixture. All this while also being forced to consume a phenomenal amount of alcohol without being able to hydrate. He will not survive his ordeal, after a sodium overdose that led to cerebral edema. He died in hospital two days after being admitted to intensive care.

« 

He was of Senegalese roots, he was black, so during his 'Baptism' was called a '', as if it were ok," said one protester. "You read what he went through and you don't even dare to say it, it's horrible," said another.

On Friday, May 26, the Antwerp Court of Appeal sentenced the 18 young defendants, sons of notables, for manslaughter and degrading treatment: a fine of 400 euros and a few hours of community service. According to the court decision, the case will also not be mentioned in the criminal records of convicted youth.

A judgment denounced by the demonstrators, who consider it far too lenient: "I think that, in this case, there is no justice, but a justice with two bullets," summarizes one. "I find it disgusting," says another. "This is racist, class justice, and we must not stand by and say nothing," said one protester. "When you haven't paid for your train, you pay more than for killing someone. What for? ", analyzes a last one.

Photos in honor of the KKK and pro-Hitler speeches

« 

Would the sentence have been the same if the perpetrators had been like me, black or North African? ", questioned one of the organizers of the rally, Jean Kitenge, also calling for "more framing of student folklore". He recalled that Sanda Dia was not from the same social background and skin color as the organizers of the hazing, from the Reuzegom circle. Or sons of the Flemish "elite", according to him.

In an investigation, the American daily New York Times revealed photos where the members of the group wore costumes identical to the American white supremacist group Ku Klux Klan (KKK). In a speech, for example, members reportedly bowed to "our dear German friend, Hitler." The group - many of whom are made up of the sons of judges, prominent businessmen or politicians - would have tried to suppress any evidence after the fact, according to the American daily.

A decision "disrespectful

 »

The public prosecutor had requested 18 to 50 months in prison: his requisitions were not followed. In the press, Ousmane Dia, the father of the victim, denounced a "disrespectful" decision, and criticized KU Leuven for not having sought "the truth" by renouncing to be a civil party.

Newsletter Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

Read on on the same topics:

• Belgium
• Justice
• Racism