Melike Pala
11 March 2026•Update: 11 March 2026
BRUSSELS
At least 120 people died during or shortly after police interventions in Belgium between 2010 and 2026, according to an investigation by Belgian media outlets Knack, Le Vif, De Tijd, and L'Echo released on Wednesday.
The database, compiled for the first time by investigative journalists, shows that nearly half of the victims died at the scene or during arrest. Six of the deceased were minors, and the figures are believed to be an underestimate.
Well-known cases include Jonathan Jacob, Jozef Chovanec, toddler Mawda, and 11-year-old Fabian.
The journalists cross-checked newspaper reports with public prosecutors, lawyers, and relatives to verify the data.
The investigation revealed that 46% of the deaths involved firearms, 11 victims were struck by vehicles, and eight suffered cardiac arrest during or shortly after police interventions.
About 45% died at the scene or during arrest, while 17% died in custody. The deceased were armed in 40% of the cases.
Brecht Castel, investigative journalist at Knack, said some deaths involved legitimate self-defense, but others raised questions regarding police responsibility.
"Without transparency, it's impossible to conduct proper research into police performance," Kati Verstrepen, lawyer and chair of the League for Human Rights, told Knack.
Criminologist Sofie De Kimpe added that police culture in Belgium views transparency as a threat rather than a tool for improvement.
Interior Minister Bernard Quintin said systematic investigations are conducted in cases of deaths during police interventions, and disciplinary or criminal measures are taken where necessary.
