Femicide in Schaerbeek: suspect in Diana's murder released due to procedural defect
Diana's ex-partner, stabbed to death in December 2024 in Schaerbeek, has been released following a procedural defect. The victim's family is devastated.
Suspect released due to procedural defect in Diana murder case
DHnet reports that the main suspect in the murder of Diana, a 36-year-old Romanian businesswoman killed in Schaerbeek on 3 December 2024, has been released on Friday evening. Her ex-partner, placed under arrest warrant shortly after the facts, benefited from a decision by the indictment chamber based on a procedural defect.
The public prosecutor's office confirmed that "a debate on technical and legal aspects concerning the procedure in this case was held on Friday before the indictment chamber" and that this chamber "ultimately decided to order the release of the person in question". The procedural defect in question concerned communication between the prosecution, the prison and the suspect within the framework of an appeal procedure. The public prosecutor's office specified that it had informed the victim's family of this decision.
Diana had been fatally stabbed at approximately 20:40 in a corridor attached to her café, a highly frequented establishment in the Diamant quarter of Schaerbeek. The case had deeply moved the neighbourhood: many residents had come to pay tribute to the victim outside her business in the days following the tragedy.
According to information gathered in 2024, Diana was in conflict with her ex-partner, of Armenian origin, notably concerning the sale of an apartment. The latter had allegedly not accepted their separation and had allegedly undertaken to harass his ex-partner before committing the act.
Upon announcement of this release, the civil parties and the victim's close relatives are, according to DHnet, "devastated" by this judicial reversal that occurred nearly two years after the murder.
Source: DHnet