Inquiry opened in Brussels following videos of officers displaying banned symbol
Videos showing Brussels police officers with a banned symbol and making sexist remarks are circulating on social media. An investigation has been announced.
Police officers filmed with a Crusades symbol during demonstrations in Brussels
An investigation has been announced following the circulation on social media of videos showing the conduct of certain Brussels police officers during recent demonstrations, according to RTBF Info based on information from the newspaper Le Soir.
In a compilation of footage, a police officer can notably be seen wearing the symbol "Deus Vult" — "God wills it" — on his equipment, a reference to the Crusades considered to be banned. Other images show a police officer smoking a cigar, whilst other officers make sexist and transphobic insults.
"It is unacceptable, an investigation will be opened. And as for the symbol, it is banned," declared the spokesperson for Brussels mayor Philippe Close (PS) to the newspaper Le Soir.
Victor Kanyanzira, contacted by RTBF, confirmed the opening of the investigation and added: "The conduct of a tiny minority cannot cast discredit on this extremely difficult profession and those who exercise it with professionalism."
Source: RTBF Info