Brussels:Belgian police arrested 195 people during protests against education policies and budget cuts in Brussels and Liege on Saturday. The demonstrations turned violent, resulting in significant unrest and damage.

According to Anadolu Agency, Brussels police made 150 arrests, including 118 administrative detentions and 32 judicial arrests. Among those detained under judicial procedures, 15 were minors. The judicial arrests were related to offenses such as throwing objects at police, resisting arrest, and deliberate arson. The authorities are still working to identify suspects, and the number of arrests could change.

The protests in Brussels led to minor injuries for five police officers and considerable damage in the city center. Demonstrators used electric scooters and construction materials to build barricades. Police responded by using tear gas and water cannons.

In Liege, police reported 45 arrests, including 12 minors. This included 40 administrative detentions and five judicial arrests. The Belga news agency noted incidents of vandalism and fires in public areas on Saturday evening. Around 50 protesters gathered at Place Saint-Lambert and fired pyrotechnic mortars at the Prince-Bishops' Palace. Police dispersed them using a water cannon and tear gas. The situation calmed by the evening, according to police.

The protest in Liege began peacefully, with 200 to 250 people gathering outside Guillemins railway station before marching to Place Saint-Lambert for a sit-in that blocked bus traffic. Protesters later blocked roads near Le Cadran, including motorway access toward Burenville, using barriers to build barricades.

These protests are part of a broader movement that started in France over education conditions and spread to French-speaking Belgium on October 1. Previous demonstrations have led to numerous detentions, with some individuals being remanded in custody.