Striking prison guards vandalise justice minister's office

During a demonstration in Brussels city centre on Tuesday morning, prison guards forced their way into the office of federal justice minister Koen Geens, causing considerable damage, reports the Flemish public broadcaster VRT. The police removed the protestors from the premises.

CD&V chairman Wouter Beke condemned the action: "For weeks, Koen Geens has been engaged in dialogue," he said on Twitter. "Strange way of showing appreciation. This is really not okay. Go sit around the table."

The prison guards from penitentiaries in French-speaking Belgium have been on strike for weeks to protest against austerity measures put forth by the justice ministry.

photo: Bert Rymen / Twitter