Belgium: Syrian Man Says Age Difference ‘Not a Problem’ in His Culture After Being Prosecuted for Raping Two Minors

A 22-year-old Syrian man, identified as N., is on trial in Brussels for the rape of two minors. One of the victims is his current pregnant wife, who is 14. He has justified his behavior in both cases that in his home country of Syria, it is accepted that such age differences exist.

The prosecution is seeking a four-year prison sentence, while the defense argues that the situation should be viewed within a different cultural context.

The first case dates back to November 2023, when a 14-year-old Syrian girl, accompanied by her mother, reported a rape to a sexual violence treatment center (CPVS). The girl, who did not speak much French, told a nurse that she had been raped and had lost her virginity, according to Belgium news outlet DH.

While an official complaint was filed, it was withdrawn just two days later.

Despite the withdrawal, the Brussels public prosecutor’s office opened a case after receiving a copy of the suspect’s residence permit, which identified him as N.

However, police did not question him about the alleged rape until June 2024. N. denied the charges and stated that the age difference was “not a problem” in his culture. His lawyer, Nathalie Gallant, noted that the victim later said she felt caught between her parents and N., who wanted to leave her for another person.

The prosecutor’s office chose not to pursue criminal charges at that time, instead issuing a formal reprimand.

He is caught with another minor just month’s later

Several months later, police officers spotted N. kissing a girl in a parked car and noticed their significant age difference. This led to a new investigation.

It was discovered that N. was now religiously married to a different Syrian girl, also 14, who was pregnant with his child. He was detained for a week before being released.

At a hearing, the prosecutor countered claims, made once again, that it was part of his culture to have sex with underage girls, stating, “I accept that there is a cultural context, but it cannot override the laws of the country in which we are hosted.”

The prosecutor cited a Belgian legal precedent that prohibits sexual relations between an adult and a 14-year-old if the adult is more than three years their senior. Given that N. had already received a reprimand, the prosecutor requested a four-year prison sentence.

N.’s lawyer, Ms. Gallant, did not dispute the law said the prosecutor’s office, had previously opted for a simple reprimand rather than a criminal prosecution. She argued for a suspended sentence instead of prison time.

The case has been adjourned until early September for an expert report to be submitted.