Montreal, Quebec – Congolese gang leader convicted of gang rape in Belgium arrested by chance

According to Le Journal de Montréal , Stéphane Katshuva Paluku, 25, was arrested in Montreal in late June after failing to appear at a hearing for assault. Police arrested him in a vehicle that smelled strongly of cannabis.

They discovered he was wanted in Belgium, where he was sentenced to eight years in prison for the filmed gang rape of a minor on Halloween 2020 in Brussels, after drugging her with laughing gas and getting her drunk, as well as 40 months in prison for thefts from Airbnb properties . Belgian justice considers him "the leader of an urban gang in Brussels."

Having arrived in Canada under his real identity on a visitor's visa, he now claims to work as a mortgage specialist . Judge Daniel Royer refused to release him for extradition, ruling that "only his detention can ensure his presence in court."

Stéphane Katshuva Paluku denies the charges and will return to court in August for further proceedings.