Eight Belgian soldiers on trial in Norway for bar brawl

The trial of eight Belgian soldiers involved in a mass brawl with local residents in a bar in Norway began on Tuesday. The incident, which occurred in February, left six people injured, according to Norwegian media reports.

The soldiers, all from the 2nd Commando Battalion based in Flawinne, Namur, were in Åndalsnes to participate in the Arctic Training exercise when the brawl broke out on the night of 17 February.

All eight soldiers have been brought to Molde to face charges related to the incident. Several other Belgians, including a captain from the Belgian Defence, are expected to testify via video link. The soldiers are charged with violence and disturbing public order, with six of them facing an additional charge of violence in a group, the Belgian federal prosecutor confirmed.

"The eight Belgian soldiers are represented by their own lawyers, at their own expense," Defence said. The Belgian army declined to comment further, noting that it would "let justice do its work".

The trial is scheduled to last eight days. According to NATO rules, the soldiers could have been tried in Belgium, but Norwegian authorities chose to conduct their own investigation and hold the trial in Norway. The Belgian federal prosecutor’s office has cooperated with the investigation, including by questioning witnesses.

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