Falzone Trial Paused for Erotic Salon as Petition Grows
The trial of Paolo and Antonino Falzone — Belgium’s deadliest road-related criminal case in recent history — will be suspended from June 4 to 8, 2026, to accommodate the Erotix erotic salon at the Lotto Mons Expo venue, sparking public outrage and a petition that has gathered over 5,600 signatures. The trial, which began on May 4, concerns the March 2022 Strépy-Bracquegnies carnival tragedy in which seven people were killed and dozens injured when a BMW plowed into a procession of Gilles (traditional carnival participants).
The Scheduling Conflict
The interruption arises from a contractual obligation: the Erotix salon had a three-year agreement with Lotto Mons Expo, with dates fixed nearly two years in advance. According to RTBF, Hugo Schryers, manager of Mons Expo (via Fairpak SRL), explained that the interruption was a non-negotiable condition for allowing the court to use the facility. The alternative would have been to delay the trial by up to two years.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Court of Appeal of Mons issued a joint statement on May 22, emphasizing that everything was organized “with the agreement of all parties concerned.” They stressed that Lotto Mons Expo was the only venue capable of accommodating the unprecedented scale of this trial — with approximately 270 witnesses, dozens of civil parties, journalists, and members of the public — without forcing them to travel long distances daily.
The Petition and Public Reaction
Marc Willocq, a resident of Dour not directly involved in the trial, launched a petition denouncing what he called a “lack of respect” toward victims and their families. As reported by BruxellesToday, the petition gathered over 5,676 signatures within approximately three days.
“Survivors and loved ones come here to deliver their tears, their broken bodies, and their shattered lives,” Willocq wrote in the petition. “The judicial organization and the manager of Lotto Mons Expo have chosen to pack up and leave to make room for stands of leather and accessories. An insult to the memory and dignity of the victims.”
The judicial authorities, however, distanced themselves from the petition, describing it as a “personal initiative of a local resident” and reiterating that the scheduling was done with full awareness of the conflict.
A Nuanced View from Victims
While public outrage has dominated headlines, some victims have expressed a more measured perspective. Florian Devise, a survivor who suffered severe head trauma and epilepsy as a result of the crash, told RTBF: “Unfortunately, we knew about it from the start. We also knew which days we would be able to disconnect and not think about this anymore. We know very well that during the interruption, we’ll be at home, in peace, to catch our breath and be ready for the end of the trial.”
Background: The Strépy-Bracquegnies Tragedy
The case dates back to March 20, 2022, when Paolo Falzone, then 24, drove a BMW at over 170 km/h through a residential area in Strépy-Bracquegnies, La Louvière, during the first carnival celebration after the COVID-19 pandemic. The vehicle struck a group of Gilles participating in the traditional “ramassage” (collection) procession.
According to 7sur7, neighbors had long warned about Paolo Falzone’s dangerous driving. His own father reportedly told him: “Stop driving like that. One day, you’re going to kill someone.” The BMW had been illegally reprogrammed, with its engine power increased by approximately 40% — from around 250-292 HP to 355 HP.
Paolo Falzone faces 7 counts of intentional homicide and approximately 80 counts of attempted intentional homicide. He was recording a “story” on his phone at the time of the crash, initially lying to investigators about this. His cousin Antonino Falzone, who was a passenger, is charged with failure to render assistance to approximately 50 people.
What’s Next
The trial is expected to resume after the Erotix salon concludes on June 8 and continue until approximately mid-to-late June 2026. The courtroom setup at Lotto Mons Expo will not be dismantled during the interruption — it will simply be suspended, with appropriate security measures maintained.
The controversy has raised broader questions about venue scarcity for major trials in Belgium and whether commercial contracts at publicly-owned venues should take precedence over judicial proceedings. It remains to be seen whether the petition will lead to any formal parliamentary questions or policy changes regarding venue selection for future high-profile trials.