May Brussels police officers fine street prostitutes and their customers on the streets of Brussels?

The prostitutes are not taking the matter lying down and together with several social organisations filed a complaint with the Council of State, Belgium's highest administrative court.

An official at the Council of State, whose job it is to examine the matter, is now recommending that the Council's judges throw out the complaint. He believes that the complaint is unfounded and favours a ruling in favour of the city authorities.

The official's recommendation is not binding, but the Council does usually follow his advice. The Council will take its decision at a later time.

The Mayor of Brussels, Freddy Thielemans (Francophone socialist), believes the new fines are a good idea. He points to the 30% drop in the amount of prostitution in the area.

[Flandersnews.be / Expatica]