Both policewomen attacked with a machete during the attack perpetrated in Charleroi, on August 6th, have now left hospital. The Belgian radio station Bel-RTL is stating this today (Wednesday). They still require some medical treatment but anticipate returning to work as soon as possible.

On Saturday August 6th, Khaled Babouri, an Algerian residing illegally, went to the information desk at the police station in Charleroi, and immediately pulled out a machete from his rucksack attacking the face of Hakima, who was one of the duty policemen.

The latter although seriously injured managed to fire two bullets at her aggressor, who in the meantime, succeeded in injuring Corinne, the second policewoman, attacking her on the jaw. A third female inspector then intervened and overpowered the perpetrator who then moved his hand back to his rucksack looking for something.

Both gravely injured, Corinne and Hakima were taken to hospital where they were both operated on as emergency cases. Hakima, whose life was briefly in danger got out with a large horizontal facial scar. She was actually was the first to leave Notre-Dame de Charleroi hospital. However, she will still require further corrective surgery. Transferred to the university hospital Saint-Luc de Bruxelles, Corinne underwent a second operation on her jaw to avoid facial paralysis. She also returned home a few days ago.

Oscar Schneider

The Brussels Times