FACE expresses its full support for Hubertus Vereniging Vlaanderen (HVV) President Rudi Van Decraen following the incident on 4 March 2026. According to HVV, after an alert from a trail camera near his high seat, Mr Van Decraen went to check the area and encountered two masked individuals. He was forced to the ground and violently assaulted, sustaining serious injuries and requiring hospital treatment.

We are deeply shocked by this senseless act of violence and unequivocally condemn any form of intimidation or aggression directed at those engaged in lawful, sustainable wildlife management and conservation.

We call upon the authorities to identify, prosecute and severely punish the individuals that assaulted mr Van Decraen. When actvism turns into criminality, authorities must act swiftly and decisively. Our thoughts are with him and his family, and we wish him a full and swift recovery.

Laurens Hoedemaker
President of FACE