Belgian shopkeeper dies after defending woman from alleged racist abuse
A Belgian shopkeeper has died after being seriously injured while intervening to defend a woman who was allegedly subjected to racist and Islamophobic abuse on a tram in Brussels.
The assault took place on July 23 aboard Tram 55 in the municipality of Evere. According to local media, 54-year-old Driss Atouane stepped in after a man allegedly directed racist and anti-Muslim remarks at a woman.
The suspect allegedly then attacked Atouane, repeatedly striking him in what witnesses described as an exceptionally violent assault.
Atouane, who owned a supermarket in the Schaerbeek district, was taken to hospital with critical injuries and died on Sunday.
Investigation underway
The Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office said police arrived at the scene shortly after the attack and arrested the suspect within minutes.
The suspect has been placed under an arrest warrant, while an investigating judge has ordered a psychiatric evaluation as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities have not released further details on the suspect or potential charges.
Tributes to victim
Atouane was widely known in the Schaerbeek community, where he operated a local supermarket.
Incoming Schaerbeek Mayor Hasan Koyuncu described his death as "an unbearable injustice," expressing hope that justice would be served and that Atouane's courage would be remembered.
Tributes also poured in on social media, where many users hailed Atouane as a hero who lost his life while trying to protect a stranger.
Source:AA
