Climate activist who caused crash in ronde van brugge released from prison

Wouter Mouton, the climate activist who caused a crash in the Tour of Bruges, is a free man again. The 48-year-old Belgian spent nearly a week in jail but has been released, albeit under strict conditions.

The well-known climate activist made headlines again last week during the Tour of Bruges. Mouton attempted to glue himself to the Brieversweg, the only cobblestone section in the Tour of Bruges route, to draw attention to the climate. At the very last moment, he tried to flee as the peloton approached, but he still caused significant chaos.

About ten riders crashed at the back of the peloton, including Tim Marsman, Florian Sénéchal, and Juan Sebastian Molano. Organizer Golazo filed a complaint afterward, followed by the cycling federation Belgian Cycling a day later. Four teams want to join as civil parties. Mouton was immediately arrested judicially after the race and held in custody.

Strict conditions
After a week in jail, the Bruges examining magistrate decided to release Mouton – under conditions. One of these conditions is a ban on speaking and writing about his actions in the media. "These are quite strict conditions. For example, he is also not allowed to organize any further actions or protest on public roads. Although that's understandable," said his lawyer Joke Callewaert to Het Laatste Nieuws.

"He is also very shaken himself. It was a misjudgment. His intention was to raise awareness for the climate, never to harm riders. He has carried out actions for the environment before, but he has never used violence or hurt riders. Now that has happened, and he is deeply affected by it."