Cameroonian students demonstrate in Brussels News

Belgium - Cameroonian students demonstrated on Friday in Brussels for the fourth consecutive day to demand the release of a colleague who has been detained since Monday at Zaventem airport.

The fifth year civil engineering student of Université Libre in Brussels was returning to Belgium from Cameroon after a one-month holiday when police at Zaventem airport refused him entry claiming his face did not match the picture on his passport.

One demonstrator told PANA that the 26-year-old student arrived in Belgium at the age of 18 to further his studies.

“After eight years, his physical appearance is bound to change. He has put on weight and wears glasses,” she said.

The administrative office of Schaarbeek district where the student lives confirmed that he is indeed the one whose stay in Belgium they extend every year for his studies.

Further, Université Libre in Brussels told the police that he is indeed the Cameroonian student registered at the Department of Civil Engineering.

A Brussels court will on Tuesday rule on the fate of the Cameroonian student.

The police are threatening to send him back to Libya where he transited on his way to Belgium.

The Cameroonian students have decided to carry on with their demonstrations until their colleague is released.
 
Brussels - 11/04/2009

Pana