Congolese journalist Claude Pero Luwara attacked with hammer in Tirlemont
Congolese journalist Claude Pero Luwara was struck on the head by three masked men in Tirlemont on Thursday. This is his third assault in Belgium.
Third assault in Belgium for Congolese journalist Claude Pero Luwara
According to DHnet, three masked men attacked Congolese journalist Claude Pero Luwara on Thursday afternoon at approximately 17:15 in Tirlemont, in Flemish Brabant. The attackers struck him on the head with a hammer, injuring him seriously. He was transported to hospital. The Louvain public prosecutor's office and the burgomaster of Tirlemont, Jonathan Holslag, confirmed the facts.
Luwara, 43 years old, is a journalist who has taken refuge in Belgium. He broadcasts critical content regarding the Congolese regime on YouTube. On 7 March 2025, the Ministry of Justice of the Democratic Republic of the Congo announced a reward of four million dollars for any information leading to his arrest.
This is the third assault he has suffered on Belgian soil. On 27 August 2025, four young men pursued him across the country before finding him in Tirlemont, where he was living in hiding. They beat him severely before fleeing in a vehicle equipped with false Luxembourg registration plates.
On 24 April 2026, Luwara was once again attacked by a group of young people in Louvain-la-Neuve. A judicial investigation was opened following the Thursday incident.
Source: DHnet