Posted on 11/08/2005 7:00:11 AM PST by ncountylee
BRUSSELS, Nov 8 (Reuters) - Five cars were set on fire in Brussels overnight, raising the number of vehicles burned in the Belgian capital to 10 since Sunday in what officials say appeared to be an imitation of violence in France.
There were also minor incidents of arson in the northern town of Sint Niklaas -- where a car was also set ablaze -- and the eastern city of Liege, authorities reported.
Belgian officials played down the extent of the incidents.
"There were no riots. These were all very isolated incidents. Whoever set fire to the cars must have been influenced by the footage of what is going on in France," Brussels fire department spokesman Francis Boileau said.
In a deliberate effort to avoid politicising the incidents, federal police and the government's crisis centre declined to comment, referring the matter to local police and municipal authorities.
"These are only isolated cases. Our prevention units and local police officers are working on it. They really know these youngsters. I have no fear," Jacques Simonet, the mayor of the Brussels district of Anderlecht, told VTM television
I'm not a frenchie! I'm a Belgie!
- James Coco, "Murder by Death"
I read somewhere this morning that La Raza or Azatlan is hoping the same will happen here among hispanics.
Doesn't seem likely that will happen.
What is it about torching cars?
Yearning for the good old days of the camel?
I wondered the same thing. Easy I suppose? And...does insurance cover your car for that?
susie
It's the Americans. It's the Israelis. It's George W. Bush.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.