March 28, 2024 – 11:00 PM – World
On August 20, 2019, Mehdi Bouda was in Brussels with friends. The teenager fled the scene during a drug check by plainclothes officers. The officers give chase. Meanwhile, two other officers received a report of a burglary and drove to the location at high speed.
Also read: Belgium: Mehdi’s brother killed by car wins Human Rights Prize
Without sirens, but with flashing lights, they tore through the streets. Mehdi Bouda was hit by the police car at a zebra crossing. He died later that night from his injuries.
Investigation shows that the officers drove 98 km per hour in a zone 30. According to a traffic expert, they could have avoided Mehdi Bouda if they had respected the speed limit.
The officers involved also did not give Bouda first aid. This was only done five minutes later by other officers. In addition, the driver of the police car that hit the teenager has been convicted eight times in the past for traffic violations.
Also read: Belgium: family killed by police Mehdi demands justice
Mehdi Bouda’s family is devastated and demands justice. They hope that the council chamber will prosecute the officers.
