Brussels attacks judge orders removal of defendant "cages"

FILE PHOTO: A view of the courtroom prior to the opening of the preliminary hearing in trial of suspects in the March 2016 attacks, in Brussels, Belgium September 12, 2022. John Thys/Pool via REUTERS

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Nine men accused of participating in the 2016 Brussels bombings that killed 32 people cannot be put on trial in glass boxes their lawyers have likened to animal cages, a judge ruled on Friday.

The special court for one of Belgium's largest trials features a series of individual glass compartments into which nine of the accused were placed on the opening day on Monday.