Suspect in femicide of Schaerbeek cafe owner released over procedural error

The man suspected of killing a Schaerbeek cafe owner in an apparent act of femicide has been released from pre-trial detention because of a procedural error, almost two years after her death.

The Brussels chamber of indictment ordered the release of her ex-partner, identified as I.E., on Friday. He had been held in pre-trial detention since the night of the killing.

The prosecutor general's office confirmed the decision on Friday evening. Spokesperson An Schoonjans said there had been "a technical discussion about a procedural issue", which the court settled in the suspect's favour. The victim's family was informed straight away, she added.

According to RTBF, the problem arose when the suspect's detention was extended by two months as the investigation drew to a close. 

The prosecutor's office was supposed to send the prison the decision extending his detention but sent the wrong document instead. The mistake appears to have been human, and neither the prosecutor's office nor the prison noticed it.

The Brussels prosecutor's office has opened two inquiries, one criminal and one administrative, to establish how the error happened. It said they would be carried out "as quickly as possible given the seriousness of the situation".

Diana, 36, ran Ruya Café on Avenue du Diamant. She was stabbed on 3 December 2024, and her ex-partner was arrested the same night.

After the couple separated, she took over the cafe and turned it into a popular coffee bar. According to Bruzz, the court heard that he had harassed her repeatedly and that one source of conflict was a flat that they owned together.

A white march was held in her memory a few days after her death. In June this year, a memorial plaque and a commemorative paving stone were unveiled on Avenue du Diamant.

Diana's parents and sisters are angry and fear for their safety, their lawyer Anthony Rizzo told RTBF. 

He said Diana had asked the police for help several times before she died, and the family feels she has been let down by the justice system once again. They want to know exactly what went wrong and who is responsible.

The judicial investigation is now at its end, and the case is expected to be sent to the assizes court, although no date has been set. 

Rizzo said he feared the accused might not turn up for the trial. "The risk that he will flee is obviously very high," he said.