Episode description

The case of Ihsane Jarfi examines the abduction and murder of a young man in Liège, a crime that would become a landmark hate-crime case in Belgian legal history. The episode follows Ihsane's life before the crime, the events of the night he disappeared, the discovery of his body, and the investigation that exposed extreme violence driven by homophobia. A case that reshaped public debate, judicial practice, and one father's fight against hatred and silence.

The Ihsane Jarfi Case

A homophobic murder in Belgium

Background and early life

Ihsane Jarfi was born in 1979 in Belgium to a family of Moroccan origin that had long been established in the Liège region. He was the eldest son in a close-knit family where religion, work, and family responsibility played a central role. His parents lived a structured and religious life, emphasizing respect, duty, and cohesion within the household.

Ihsane grew up in and around Liège, attended regular Belgian schools, and completed his education without interruption. Family members and friends have described him as calm, polite, and adaptable. He was social, enjoyed being around others, and had an easy time making connections, but he rarely sought attention or leadership roles. His manner was quiet and reflective.

The relationship with his parents, especially his father Hassan Jarfi, was loving but marked by tension. Ihsane was homosexual, a fact his father was aware of but struggled to accept. Hassan Jarfi later described how silence and distance replaced open dialogue, creating a lasting emotional gap between father and son.

Outside the family home, Ihsane lived more freely. He was part of Liège's gay community, spent time with friends, visited bars and clubs, and built relationships in environments where he could openly be himself. Friends described him as warm, generous, and attentive, someone who valued conversation and companionship.

Professionally, Ihsane worked in service and retail. He supported himself, lived independently in an apartment in Liège, and maintained a stable daily routine that combined work, social life, and leisure. Despite keeping parts of his life separate from his family, he remained present at family gatherings and maintained close relationships with his siblings.

Only later, after his son's death, would Hassan Jarfi speak publicly about regret and reconciliation, acknowledging the distance and silence that had defined their relationship.

The night of April 22, 2012

On Sunday evening, April 22, 2012, Ihsane Jarfi was in central Liège, in the nightlife area around Rue Saint-Paul and Rue du Marché. He visited Open Bar, a gay bar he was familiar with and had visited before.

Inside the bar, witnesses later described him as calm, sociable, and approachable. He was alone but interacted naturally with staff and other guests. There were no reports of conflict, agitation, or unusual behavior.

Shortly before closing time, Ihsane left the bar. Outside, several people were gathered, including a group of young men sitting in a car. Witnesses later stated that Ihsane initiated contact with them, that a brief conversation took place, and that he then entered the vehicle. Surveillance footage shows him speaking with the men and getting into a dark Volkswagen Polo. There are no visible signs of coercion or struggle.

The car drove away with Ihsane inside. This is the last confirmed sighting of him alive.

Disappearance and search

During the night and the following morning, Ihsane did not return home and could not be reached by phone. His family became worried, as this behavior was unusual for him. A missing person report was filed, and police initiated a search.

The investigation quickly focused on Ihsane's last known movements: his visit to Open Bar and the car he entered. Surveillance footage and witness statements allowed investigators to identify the vehicle and the men inside it. At the same time, search efforts were carried out in and around Liège and in surrounding rural areas.

Days passed without any sign of Ihsane. For his family, the waiting was marked by uncertainty and fear. Hassan Jarfi later described this period as a painful suspension between hope and dread.

Discovery of the body

On May 1, 2012, more than a week after Ihsane disappeared, his body was found in a field in Villers-le-Temple, in the municipality of Nandrin, southwest of Liège. The location was rural, secluded, and accessible only by deliberate travel.

Ihsane was found lying on the ground, partially undressed. The body showed signs of extreme violence. Emergency services and police immediately established that he was deceased.

The surrounding area showed no signs of a struggle. There were no disturbed surfaces, no scattered objects, and no blood patterns indicating that the assault occurred at that location. Investigators concluded that the body had been placed there after the violence had taken place elsewhere.

Forensic findings

The autopsy revealed extensive injuries across Ihsane's entire body. He had multiple rib fractures, severe internal injuries, and trauma to the head and upper body. The injury pattern showed repeated blows inflicted over an extended period.

There were no gunshot wounds, no stab wounds, and no evidence of weapons. The violence was inflicted with hands, feet, and possibly blunt force. Medical examiners determined that Ihsane did not die immediately. He survived for several hours after the assault.

Importantly, forensic evidence showed that Ihsane was conscious during parts of the violence. His injuries included signs of defensive reactions, indicating that he experienced pain and attempted to protect himself.

The cause of death was determined to be a combination of internal bleeding, organ failure, and trauma resulting from prolonged and severe assault.

Investigation and suspects

Police returned to the last confirmed moments in Liège. Through surveillance footage, mobile phone data, and witness statements, four men were identified as being in the car with Ihsane that night:

• Mutlu Kizilaslan

• Jérémy Wintgens

• Eric Parmentier

• Jonathan Lekeu

Their movements were reconstructed through phone records, vehicle tracking, and interrogations. Evidence showed that Ihsane was assaulted inside the car and at multiple stopping points during the night.

Statements from the suspects were contradictory. Each minimized personal responsibility and shifted blame onto others. However, technical evidence, biological traces, and injury patterns supported a consistent reconstruction: Ihsane was subjected to repeated, escalating violence over several hours.

Investigators also identified a clear homophobic motive. Statements made by the suspects revealed contempt, mockery, and aggression linked directly to Ihsane's sexuality. The case was classified as murder with aggravating circumstances, including a hate crime motive.

Trial and verdict

The trial began in 2014 at the Liège Assize Court. The prosecution argued joint responsibility, stating that the four men together subjected Ihsane to sustained violence, humiliation, and abuse before abandoning him severely injured.

The defense for each defendant attempted to fragment the events, arguing intoxication, confusion, unequal participation, and lack of intent. The court rejected these arguments.

The verdict was clear:

• Mutlu Kizilaslan – life imprisonment

• Jérémy Wintgens – life imprisonment

• Eric Parmentier – life imprisonment

• Jonathan Lekeu – 30 years imprisonment

The court ruled that presence, participation, and failure to intervene were sufficient for criminal responsibility. The hate crime classification was upheld.

Aftermath and legacy

The murder of Ihsane Jarfi became a landmark case in Belgium. It was the first murder legally recognized as homophobic, giving it lasting legal and social significance.

Hassan Jarfi emerged as a prominent public voice against homophobia. He founded the Ihsane Jarfi Foundation, dedicated to combating hate, racism, and violence. Through education, advocacy, and public engagement, he transformed personal grief into social action.

Ihsane Jarfi's name remains central in discussions about hate crimes, tolerance, and responsibility. Memorials, educational programs, and public debates continue to reference his case.

Ihsane Jarfi was a son, brother, friend, and colleague. His death exposed the lethal consequences of prejudice and silence. His legacy continues far beyond the courtroom.

YOUTUBE

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY9UhmQnhrD-R_OOhmvUhWQ

PODCAST

https://shows.acast.com/true-crime-24-english