Belgian student protests lead to 16 arrests in Liège, damage in Charleroi, Mons, and Arlon

Belgian students staged renewed protests Monday, leading to 16 arrests in Liège and property damage across several cities, including Charleroi, Mons, and Arlon. The demonstrations, which began peacefully, escalated with masked youths throwing eggs and setting off firecrackers. Police deployed in force near schools in Liège, where groups blocked entrances and clashed with officers. An armored vehicle sprayed protesters, and a fire was lit near the opera. Authorities halted tram service and advised avoiding the city center as crowds marched along the tracks. The unrest spread to other towns, with incidents reported at schools in Charleroi, Mons, and Arlon, where furniture was burned. In Hannut, firecrackers injured two children. The protests stem from student opposition to budget cuts affecting education.