Hell’s Angel gets 30 years in Belgium’s most expensive trial

A 40-year-old Hell’s Angel from Genk, Limburg, has been sentenced to the maximum 30 years in prison for killing three members of the rival Outlaws gang in Maasmechelen in 2011. Ali Ipekci intends to appeal the sentence to the Cassation Court.

The trial in Tongeren heard that Ipekci shot the three men inside a Berlingo van during a party for the opening of a tyre business. He then dumped the bodies in the canal at Eisden-Dorp in Maasmechelen. Ipekci denied shooting the victims but admitted taking part in the disposal of the bodies when confronted with DNA evidence.

In the sentencing phase, the jury followed the reasoning of the prosecution that there were no extenuating circumstances that would justify applying anything but the maximum sentence allowed by law. The defence had pled for a lesser sentence, given Ipekci’s age and that he is the father of three children.

The trial was reported to be the most expensive jury trial ever held in Belgium, costing about €500,000. The main items of expenditure were DNA testing and technical analyses, as well as the heavy police presence – 50 officers on normal days, drawn from the local force in Tongeren, reinforcements from neighbouring zones and back-up from the federal police.

On days when both motorcycle gangs were present, the police force was extended to 180 officers. Security measures also included dogs trained to sniff out explosives, filming all visitors to the trial and, on some days, the deployment of a police helicopter at a cost of €1,500 an hour.

“Ensuring the trial went ahead in a safe and calm manner was our main goal, and we succeeded,” said Robin Minten, director of co-ordination for the Limburg police. “There were no incidents.”

photo courtesy De Standaard