Two attacks with heavy fireworks: including family of well-known kickboxer targeted (Borgerhout)

In the Zegepralstraat in Borgerhout, between midnight and 1 am, fireworks were thrown at a home belonging to the father of the famous kickboxer Jamal Ben Saddik. Several windows in front doors were shattered by the bang and parked cars were also extensively damaged. “Five people were taken to hospital with minor hearing damage, they were allowed to return home later,” said Kristof Aerts, spokesman for the public prosecutor’s office.

Kickboxer Jamal Ben Saddik’s father was at home when the heavy fireworks exploded in front of his home. On Wednesday morning he measured the damage, the stone sill of his home and the frame of the front door were smashed to pieces. The bang also ripped part of the doorbell and letterbox off the wall, shattering a layer of glass over the front door.

According to our information, the attack would target one of Jamal’s brothers, also known by the nickname ‘Urbanus’. “I have no idea why this happened,” said father Ben Saddik. ”Would my son have a problem? I don’t know.” There are two sturdy surveillance cameras on the house. “The police took the footage,” the man said. “I don’t know if there’s anything to see.”

Ten minutes after the explosion in Borgerhout, a heavy piece of fireworks also exploded at a house in Vrijhandelstraat in ‘t Dokske in Merksem. Several homes and cars were damaged. The fireworks exploded in front of a building at the beginning of the street on the side of Borrewaterstraat. “We have no idea why this happened,” responds the son of the house. “My parents live here. I have nothing to do with drugs or the port.” According to him, the targeted home has nothing to do with the Ben Saddik family. “I only know them from television.”

“Whether there is a link between the two facts is being investigated. We have requested an investigating judge,” says Aerts. “A possible link with the drug environment is also being investigated.” According to our information, that link seems to be there in both cases. Kickboxer Jamal Ben Saddik alias Goliath is mentioned in several drug cases, he was arrested in March of last year because he is suspected of being one of the sellers of phones with Sky ECC. Last night’s attack in Zepraal Street is said to be mainly aimed at the brother of Jamal ‘Urbanus’, also known in the drug world.

The parents of the C. brothers live in Vrijhandelstraat, these men were also convicted of drug trafficking in the past.

ALSO READ. Kickboxer ‘Goliath’ arrested for selling mobile phones with Sky ECC

(vdaa, sare)