© BELGIUM
The public prosecutor’s office will also not appeal in the case against YouTuber Acid. He previously decided not to appeal against his conviction.
Source: BELGA
Yesterday at 4:44 PM
On May 31, 2023, Nathan Vandergunst, better known as Acid, published a video about the fatal baptism of Sanda Dia. Acid mentioned several Reuzegommers by name and shared personal information about them. YouTube eventually took the video offline. The video also featured a former member who was not involved in the fatal baptism. His parents were suddenly confronted with false reservations and negative reviews in their restaurant in Antwerp. When the West Flemish public prosecutor’s office decided not to start an investigation, the ex-Reuzegommer and his parents came up with a direct summons.
READ ALSO. Career change and a trip to the US become difficult: what are the consequences of the criminal record for Acid himself?
The defense asked for the criminal action to be declared inadmissible because no investigation of any kind had been conducted in the file. In addition, master Walter Van Steenbrugge pointed out that only the court of assizes is competent to judge a printing crime. Separately, an acquittal was requested on the basis of freedom of expression.
On February 22, the judge finally sentenced Acid to a three-month suspended prison sentence and an 800 euro fine. In addition, he must pay the civil party provisional compensation of 20,000 euros.
Lawyer Walter Van Steenbrugge initially announced that the verdict would be appealed, but at the end of March it became clear that Acid would ultimately not do so.
READ ALSO. Why the Russians are even trying to stir up the polemic around Acid
After the appeal period has expired, the public prosecutor’s office still has ten days to file an appeal itself to possibly request a higher sentence. But the public prosecutor’s office has now officially announced that no appeal has been lodged. Acid’s punishment is therefore final.