On Friday 26th May 2023, eighteen former members of an elite university fraternity in Belgium were found guilty of their involvement in the death of a student during a brutal and degrading initiation ritual in 2018.
Sanda Dia, a 20-year-old, died in December 2018 after enduring two days of vicious hazing alongside two other first-year students in their bid to join the student fraternity known as Reuzegom.
During the initiation process, Dia was subjected to forced consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol and fish oil, as well as being made to sit in freezing water until he eventually collapsed.
The court spokesperson, Judge Els De Brauwer, stated that the students were convicted for their role in the involuntary death of Dia and the degrading treatment he endured.
However, they were acquitted of intentionally administering harmful substances resulting in death and wilful neglect.
The court handed down sentences to the students, including up to 300 hours of community service and a fine of €400 each. Prosecutors had sought prison sentences of up to 50 months for certain individuals involved.
The court’s ruling emphasised the high salt content in the fish oil as a critical factor in Dia’s death.
The court concluded that the students could not have been aware of the potentially fatal impact on the freshman.
Judge De Brauwer further noted that once the students realised the seriousness of Dia’s condition, they attempted to provide assistance and promptly transported him to the hospital.
Although the two other students involved in the hazing became seriously ill, their cases were not part of the court proceedings.
Judge De Brauwer highlighted the guilt of all 18 individuals who participated in the hazing, emphasising that they were present during the events and failed to intervene or question the actions taking place.
Following Dia’s tragic death, Belgian universities have taken steps to ensure that autumn initiation rituals for first-year students are conducted in a manner that is less degrading and potentially dangerous.
