Man that caused fatal road accident, expelled by Asylum department

The accident happened in October last year. The man hit a 54-year-old lady with his moped on the Turnhoutsebaan in Borgerhout (Antwerp). The victim died in hospital two days later from her injuries. The man committed a hit-and-run but turned himself in two months later.

He turned out to be a 59-year-old asylum seeker from Albania who had all his requests for a legal residence permit rejected, but who was still staying in the country. The asylum department issued an order to send him back to his native country. This kind of procedure is going much faster nowadays as the Flemish nationalist Asylum Secretary Theo Francken (N-VA) is insisting on speeding up this process.

The ongoing investigation and the pending court case have been jeopardised by the early return of the man, the partner of the victim told the VRT. The lawyer defending the accused, points out that police have to go to Albania each time they want to take a statement or question the man.

On the other hand, the accused will not be able to defend himself properly as the trial will probably take place without him. The partner of the victim blames bad communication between the judicial authorities and the asylum and Immigration department for the present situation.

Michaël Torfs / Flandersnews.be / Expatica