Brussels police intervened Saturday to separate clashing groups of far-right and antifascist demonstrators, making one arrest after antifascist protesters attempted to confront their rivals. The demonstration occurred as tensions remain high following the February 14 death of Quentin Deranque, a 23-year-vintage far-right activist in Lyon, France.
A planned tribute in Brussels to Deranque was ultimately canceled
More than 100 officers were on hand as the two groups faced off on Place Poelaert, separated by a substantial police cordon. Demonstrators exchanged chants and tensions briefly escalated when antifascist protesters tried to break through the police line to reach the opposing group. Police successfully prevented the confrontation, and one antifascist demonstrator was taken into custody after attempting to force passage.
Around 2:45 p.m. Local time, approximately 30 far-right demonstrators were escorted by around 20 police officers away from Place Poelaert toward the Louise roundabout.
Following the departure of the far-right group, police moved to disperse the remaining antifascist protesters, using batons and tear gas at times. The demonstrators were pushed back to the lower end of Place Poelaert, near Rue Haute, with officers maintaining a barrier to prevent them from returning to the square. The incident underscores the ongoing political polarization and potential for violence surrounding far-right and far-left ideologies in Europe.
