New inquiry into Mortsel jail death

Jonathan Jacob (pictured), then 26, was picked up by police in a distressed and disoriented state after taking amphetamines. He was taken to a police station in Mortsel, Antwerp province, where a doctor was called in and determined that he was suffering a psychotic episode. He was refused entry to a psychiatric centre in Boechout because of aggressive behaviour and was returned to the police cell.

A magistrate ordered Jacob to be sedated, which he was, but he continued to resist. Six members of the Special Intervention Squad restrained him using violence, and Jacob died in the cell a short time later.

According to the autopsy, the cause of death was internal injuries caused by blows received in the cell. The entire incident was recorded by a CCTV camera in the cell that fell into the hands of public broadcaster VRT earlier this year, and the case became known to the public. The case received such attention that even the torture committee of the United Nations called for an explanation of why it had not been dealt with after three years and why the officers involved had not been disciplined.

The court this week agreed to 10 new investigative tasks, including a toxicology report, more information on the cause of death and the questioning of the doctor who gave Jacob the sedative. The court also rejected a request for the identity of the six officers to be kept confidential.

Earlier this year, another court sent for trial one police officer as well as the (former) director and a psychiatrist from the institution where Jacob was refused entry, on charges of professional negligence. Their appeal against committal has still to be heard.

Photo credit: Belga