Vandals desecrate 140 Belgian military graves, authorities launch investigation

Crime Diary, International

BRUSSELS, Belgium (NPA) — Belgium’s Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade, Theo Francken has announced that about 140 Belgian military graves were vandalised overnight between Monday, May 18 and Tuesday, May 19, at the military cemetery in Houthulst.

According to the minister, the cemetery, which is managed by the War Heritage Institute, suffered extensive damage after vandals pried loose a large number of metal memorial plaques from gravestones.

He disclosed that around 10 gravestones were severely damaged or completely broken during the attack, while several memorial plaques were also badly damaged.

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Francken stated that all displaced grave plaques had since been recovered by the WHI War Graves Service.

“We are deeply saddened and shocked by this shameless act of vandalism at a place where we safeguard the memory of those who gave their lives for our country, our freedom, and our democracy,” the minister said.

Authorities described the incident as a desecration of a sacred memorial site dedicated to fallen soldiers who died in service to Belgium.

The Belgian police have since launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the vandalism.

As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not identified the individual or group responsible for the attack, while the motive behind the desecration also remains unclear.

The incident has sparked outrage among residents and officials, with calls for those responsible to be brought to justice.