MEPs on Monday expressed their solidarity with their Belgian colleague Pascal Arimont after his house was attacked on Friday night while his family was inside.
Arimont, the only MEP for Belgium’s German-speaking region, said a Molotov cocktail was thrown under his children’s bedroom windows. He published a picture of “hateful slogans” spray-painted on his garage door in a Facebook post, writing that he was “speechless and shocked.”
“Lying, blackmailing, inciting hatred and division… you will pay for it,” the message reads.
“We will never tolerate this kind of hatred,” European parliament President David Sassoli wrote in a statement. “In a democracy, disagreement must be solved with words, not violence. Those responsible must be brought to justice.”
Manfred Weber, leader of Arimont’s group the Europen People’s Party (EPP), also condemned the incident, writing: “Dear Pascal Arimont, we are shocked to hear your home was threatened this weekend. We will never give in to this kind of hate. You have our full solidarity and support.”
Arimont, a fervent advocate for vaccinations, told Belgian news VRT he believes the attack is linked with his outspoken stance on pandemic strategy, reports: “I am joining the debate because I am convinced that vaccinations are the way out of this crisis. I am not a virologist or vaccinologist, but I do advocate for it … I wrote a text about that on my Facebook page on Friday. My house is attacked the day after that, so for to me there seems to be a clear connection.”
The incident marks the second time the MEP’s house has been the target of vandalism. Earlier this summer the gate to his house was painted red by unknown assailants.
“I won’t let myself be censored, by no one. Everyone can speak their mind. But no one can use violence,” Arimont wrote in his Facebook statement.