- Five men, including bar managers, spiked drinks and assaulted 41 women
- Ketamine was used to spike victims' drinks
- Suspects face charges of rape and assault
Three bar managers in Belgium are among five men arrested as part of an investigation into the rape and sexual assault of multiple women, according to local police.
Prosecutors revealed that the suspects are connected to the spiking of drinks of at least 41 female victims between December 2021 and December 2024.
The three managers ran bars in the northwestern city of Kortrijk, where the incidents took place. Investigators believe the men may have discussed the attacks amongst themselves.
The public prosecutor’s office in Western Flanders confirmed that five men were arrested on Wednesday and Thursday in connection with the spiking investigation. Two of the arrested individuals appeared before an investigating judge on Thursday, while two others are still being questioned by detectives. The fifth man has been released after providing an interview.
The suspects face charges of rape, sexual assault, and the unlawful administration of harmful substances. Authorities believe the women’s drinks were spiked with drugs, including ketamine, a recreational anesthetic known for its hallucinogenic effects.
According to prosecutor’s office spokesperson Tom Janssens, the victims were often offered shots of alcohol, typically flavored with amaretto, before waking up the next morning either groggy in an unfamiliar bed or in their own bed with clear signs of sexual abuse.
