© FVV / IF
Gent –
The family of Hakim Mutyaba (53) is opposing the decision of the council chamber. According to the relatives, the intention to kill has indeed been proven and the file must be sent to the assizes.
In the middle of the 2022 Ghent Festivities, the body of 53-year-old Hakim Mutyaba was recovered from the water. On his way back from the Festivities, the man was pushed into the water by a Dutchman at Lousbergskaai. “A joke that got out of hand,” was the sound when the perpetrators were later tracked down in the Netherlands. But Hakim could not swim and drowned.
The two Dutchmen were referred by the council chamber to the criminal court. The 24-year-old for intentional assault and battery resulting in death, accidental killing and culpable negligence. The 26-year-old only qualified for the last two qualifications.
However, Hakim’s family wanted a reclassification to manslaughter, and therefore an assize case. Hakim’s ex-wife is already appealing against the decision. “You cannot just assume that everyone can swim,” says lawyer Raan Colman who is representing her. The indictment chamber must therefore consider the referral again.