Six of eight Belgian soldiers who were arrested after a street brawl in Åndalsnes last winter have been found guilty of exaggerated violence and sentenced to jail. They’ve been handed sentences from 21-60 days in prison, reported state broadcaster NRK last week.
The other two were freed by the local court in Møre og Romsdal, the mountainous area of central Norway where the Belgians were taking part in military exercises with Norwegian soldiers. A night on the town during a weekend when they’d been granted liberty, however, ended up in a massive street fight during which at least four Norwegians were the victims. Belgian officers apologized for their soldiers’ bad behaviour but the defendants were later indicted.
Those charged maintained they acted in self-defense, but the court disagreed. The soldiers have already been in confinement before being allowed to return to Belgium. They were ordered back to stand trial, during which they were also found guilty of disturbing the peace.
NewsinEnglish.no staff
