| Wasserbillig Crèche Hostage Crisis | |
| Date: | May 31-June 1, 2000 (28 hours) |
| Location: | Wasserbillig, Luxembourg |
| Type: | Hostage crisis |
| Injuries: | 1 (perpetrator) |
| Assailant: | Neji Bejaouti |
| Convicted: | Neji Bejaouti |
| Verdict: | Guilty, 22 years in prison |
| Convictions: | Kidnapping, rape |
| Target: | Children and educators |
The Wasserbillig crèche hostage crisis occurred on May 31, 2000, when Neji Bejaouti, armed with a pistol and hand grenades, entered a crèche in Wasserbillig, Luxembourg, and kidnapped 45 children and seven educators.[1]
The crisis culminated in a swift resolution when a Luxembourg police sniper seized the opportunity to shoot Bejaouti as he appeared outside the building with two hostages, an adult, and a child. Bejaouti was critically injured, and none of the hostages were harmed during the assault. Following the intervention, all hostages were taken to a crisis center where parents awaited news of their children. The crisis, which lasted 28 hours, sparked national and international attention, prompting scrutiny of police tactics and the handling of hostage situations. [2] [3]