Bruges mayor stabbed by ex-client
June 21, 2020
The mayor of the Belgian city of Bruges, Dirk De fauw, has been released from hospital after surviving a knife attack.
De fauw was seriously injured on Saturday when he was stabbed by a man he now says he knew.
The 62-year-old mayor was taken to the hospital and had to undergo emergency surgery.
"I am convinced that he came to kill me. But why? I would very much like to know," the mayor said on Sunday, according to local media outlet HLN.
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The stabbing left a 14-centimeter (5.5-inch) gash in his neck which required 24 stitches and caused De fauw to lose a lot of blood, according to local media reports.
"I was lucky that it was a short knife," De fauw said, adding that he was relieved to discharged from the hospital and be sent home to recover.
The mayor, who is also a lawyer, said the assailant was a former client whom he had defended in court multiple times.
Authorities confirmed that a 35-year-old had been arrested and said the motive remains unclear. The suspect has not made any statements regarding the stabbing, his lawyer said.
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Bruges is located near the coast in northwestern Belgium and has a population of 120,000. The city is known for its medieval history and is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations.
jcg/mm (AFP, dpa)
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