^{›Shocking Arrests in Belgium Over Drink Spiking and Sexual Assault Scandal, Reported BBC}

In a disturbing revelation, three bar managers from Belgium are among five men arrested amid an ongoing investigation into the spiking of drinks and the sexual assault of dozens of women.

Authorities have linked the suspects to the horrifying spiking incidents involving at least 41 female victims occurring between December 2021 and December 2024. The three individuals managed bars in the north-western city of Kortrijk, the very locations where these heinous acts took place. Investigators believe they may have conspired together, discussing their malicious assaults.

The Western Flanders public prosecutor’s office confirmed that the arrests took place over two days, with two of the suspects appearing before an investigating judge on Thursday. While two additional suspects remain under interrogation, the fifth has been released after questioning.

The charges against these men include rape, sexual assault, and the illegal administration of harmful substances. Disturbingly, officials suspect that various drugs, including ketamine—a recreational anesthetic known for its hallucinogenic properties—were mixed into the women’s drinks.

“The young women were offered shots of alcohol, often with an amaretto flavor. They later woke up either groggy in unfamiliar surroundings or in their own homes with clear evidence of sexual abuse,” stated Tom Janssens, spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office, during an interview with Flemish public television VRT.

As the investigation unfolds, authorities urge individuals to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity. This alarming case sheds light on the urgent need for increased awareness and preventive measures against such predatory behavior.