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<\/p>\nA Belgian shopkeeper who stepped in to defend a woman allegedly targeted with racist and Islamophobic abuse on a Brussels tram has died after being beaten so severely that he succumbed to his injuries, in a case that has sparked outrage across the country.<\/p>\n
The incident occurred on July 23 at around 3.20 p.m. local time (1320GMT) aboard Tram 55 in the municipality of Evere.<\/p>\n
Driss Atouane, who managed a supermarket in the Schaerbeek district, intervened after a man allegedly directed racist and anti-Muslim remarks at a woman, RTBF reported.<\/p>\n
The suspect then allegedly turned on Atouane, repeatedly striking him in what local media described as an exceptionally violent assault.<\/p>\n
Atouane was taken to a hospital with serious injuries and died Sunday as a result of those injuries.<\/p>\n
The Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office said police responded quickly to the scene and arrested the suspect within minutes of the attack.<\/p>\n
Aurelie-Anne De Vos, spokesperson for the Brussels Public Prosecutor’s Office, said the suspect was placed under an arrest warrant and that an investigating judge appointed a psychiatric expert to assess him.<\/p>\n
The investigation remains ongoing, the prosecutor’s office said.<\/p>\n
Atouane was well known in the Schaerbeek neighborhood, where he operated a local supermarket.<\/p>\n
Hasan Koyuncu, the incoming mayor of Schaerbeek, described Atouane’s death as “an unbearable injustice,” saying he hoped justice would be served and that Atouane’s courage would not be forgotten.<\/p>\n
Many social media users also praised Atouane’s actions, describing him as a “hero” who lost his life while trying to protect a stranger.<\/p>\n
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