Brussels Daily Press Review — 2026-06-25

Brussels is melting, but the news refuses to chill.

TL;DR

Main Brussels stories today:

• Heatwave measures across Brussels
• In the death of Otmane Souieh, Mohammad Ahmadi received no mitigating circumstances and was sentenced to 22 years in detention
• 59 people charged in a drug-selling case covering 2022 to 2025
• Trial starts today against drug lord “Mara” and a criminal gang from Peterbos

🌤️ Weather

Brussels: ☀️ +27°C

Security & Justice

Mohammad Ahmadi was sentenced to 22 years in detention over the death of Otmane Souieh, with no mitigating circumstances granted.

Source:

• Décès d’Otmane Souieh : pas de circonstances atténuantes pour Mohammad Ahmadi, condam… - BX1

A drug-selling case covering the period from 2022 to 2025 has brought together 59 accused people.

Source:

• 59 inculpés rassemblés dans une affaire de vente de stupéfiants entre 2022 et 2025 - BX1

The trial of alleged drug lord “Mara” and a criminal gang from Peterbos begins today at the high-security Justitia site in Brussels. The 45 defendants include Imad B., whom the courts consider the head of a criminal organisation involved for years in importing and selling cocaine.

Source:

• Proces tegen drugsbaron ‘Mara’ en criminele bende uit Peterbos start vandaag - BRUZZ

A schoolboy was arrested in Ixelles on suspicion of selling drugs.

Source:

• Schoolboy arrested for selling drugs in Ixelles - Brussels Times

Politics

Ahmed Laaouej says he will reject any across-the-board measure affecting the ACS employment-support scheme in the 2027 budget.

Source:

• Budget 2027 : Laaouej refusera toute mesure linéaire sur le dispositif ACS - BX1

Belgians are reportedly missing out on EU energy support because of the Brussels Government, a situation described as “incomprehensible.”

Source:

• ‘Incomprehensible’: Belgians missing out on EU energy support due to Brussels Governm… - Brussels Times

A ranking of Brussels communes puts Watermael-Boitsfort at the top and Saint-Gilles at the bottom.

Source:

• Watermael-Boitsfort en tête, Saint-Gilles en queue de peloton : quelles sont les comm… - BX1

Transport

The number of registered oldtimers in Brussels is rising, and they are being driven more often, according to figures requested from Brussels Environment by MP Benjamin Dalle. He warns this could become a loophole in the Brussels low-emission zone.

Source:

• Steeds meer oldtimers op de baan: een manier om de LEZ te omzeilen? - BRUZZ

Environment

A public-sector strike is disrupting waste collections in Brussels.

Source:

• Grève dans les services publics : les collectes de déchets perturbées à Bruxelles - RTBF

Society

Brussels is facing several heatwave-related issues, from health risks and suspended specialised school transport to young people swimming in the canal despite bans and residents looking for cheap ways to cope with the heat.

Sources:

• “La canicule est vraiment un enjeu de société majeur” : comment la chaleur impacte-t… - BX1
• Canicule : les transports scolaires spécialisés sont suspendus - BX1
• Canicule : les jeunes bravent l’interdit en se baignant dans le canal - BX1
• Cheap ways to cope with the heatwave in Brussels - Brussels Times
• Brussels’ Atomium closes due to extreme heat, as SNCB cancels 100 trains per day - Brussels Times

Brussels landlords have updated the rent scale, raising questions about what the change means for tenants and property owners.

Source:

• Brussels landlords update rent scale: What does this mean? - Brussels Times

Workers are protesting against layoffs at the Molenbeek social welfare office.

Source:

• Workers protest against layoffs at Molenbeek social welfare office - Brussels Times