What should you do if you are in a crowd in your building (hall, stairwell, etc.)?

A gathering is the occupation of common areas of a building by several persons who deliberately prevent the free movement of the occupants or the proper functioning of the safety devices. It can be the hall, the stairwell, the roof, ... For example, they may be blocked doors.

In case of a gathering, you must report it to the guard. He/she will report this to the building owner and/or the condominium trustee if the building is in co-ownership. The owner of the building or the trustee can then notify the police, the gendarmerie or the municipal police.

If there is no custodian in the building, you must report it to the trustee.

Those guilty of the offense may be punished with up to 2 months in prison and €3,750 of fines, or sanctioned by a flat-rate fine of €200. Depending on the time limit for payment of the fine, it may be reduced (€150) or increased (€450).

When the gathering is accompanied by violence or threats, the sentence is increased to 6 months in prison and €7,500 of fine.

Those guilty of these offenses may also be sentenced to work of general interest.