Kortrijk — The iconic Kortrijk restaurant and café, De Geverfde Vogel, has officially declared bankruptcy after 45 years of operation. Located in the heart of the city’s nightlife district on Burgemeester Reynaertstraat, the venue had long stood as a mainstay of the local scene before its sudden closure.
The shutdown follows a serious scandal involving drink spiking, which reportedly impacted more than 40 women. According to reports by VRT, the victims alleged that unknown substances were added to their beverages at various bars in the area. Several women came forward with harrowing accounts of being assaulted and, in some cases, raped after their drinks were tampered with.
De Geverfde Vogel was at the center of the investigation. Its young owner, a man from Kuurne, was arrested in connection with the case. Following his arrest, the establishment ceased operations. Efforts to sell the café fell through amid growing public backlash and negative media coverage, leading to its financial collapse.
The commercial court has confirmed the bankruptcy of the operating companies behind De Geverfde Vogel, formally ending the café’s decades-long contribution to Kortrijk’s nightlife.
For many, the closure marks the end of an era. De Geverfde Vogel had become synonymous with the city’s vibrant evening culture. But the drink spiking scandal and the subsequent legal fallout have cast a shadow over the legacy of the once-popular venue.
Background on the Scandal and Economic Fallout in Kortrijk
Kortrijk, located in Western Flanders, Belgium, is renowned for its dynamic nightlife, especially along Burgemeester Reynaertstraat. De Geverfde Vogel had been one of the most recognizable establishments in the area for decades.
The spiking scandal emerged following numerous testimonies from women who claimed their drinks had been adulterated. Some victims reported being sexually assaulted after the drinks were compromised. The revelations shocked the community, sparking widespread concern about safety and security in nightlife venues.
The situation escalated when a bartender in his twenties, originally from Kuurne and an employee at De Geverfde Vogel, was arrested. The establishment quickly lost its appeal to any potential investors or buyers due to the scandal, ultimately driving it toward bankruptcy.
Another nearby café implicated in the broader investigation suffered a similar fate and was forced to close.
Legal proceedings are ongoing. One former employee remains in pre-trial detention, while the previous owner has been placed under house arrest, monitored with an ankle bracelet.
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