The home of Didier Reynders, a erstwhile European Commissioner and longtime Belgian national Minister, was searched as part of a money laundering investigation. The accusations concern the usage of lottery tickets to conceal the origin of funds. The investigation has been going on since 2023 and the erstwhile politician has been questioned, but he remains at large thanks to immunity.
On Tuesday morning, December 3, 2024, investigators entered 2 Didier Reynders properties – his home in Uccle and a agrarian residence in Vissoul. As the lawyer General's office in Brussels reported, these activities were part of a 2023 investigation into suspected money laundering by buying lottery tickets.
The matter, which for many months remained a strict mystery, concerns Reynders' actions during his word as national Minister and later years until 2023. A erstwhile politician is suspected to have utilized the "e-los" of the national lottery to mask the origin of the funds. destiny purchased in part for cash was to be later recorded on the digital lottery account, and profits transferred to Reynders' individual bank account.
Money laundering mechanisms by gambling by Didier Reynders
The gambling committee recalls that random games are frequently utilized to launder money, although this involves losing part of the amount invested. In the case of the erstwhile Commissioner, large transactions were raised by the National Financial Analysis Unit (Ctif) and National Lottery.
The investigation is conducted by a specialised section of Ecofin national Judicial Police in Brussels. The documentation has so far remained outside the public database and only a narrow group of investigators and prosecutors had access to it.
Read more: Surprise from Brussels. End of Article 7 procedure towards Poland
Immunity and political controversy
Didier Reynders, although no longer acting as Commissioner, enjoys immunity from erstwhile members of the European Commission. This prevented him from being detained or arrested, although investigators had the right to search his property and call him in for questioning.
Interestingly, the operation took place only 3 days after the end of his word in the European Commission. Sources indicate that the deadline was not accidental – it would have been essential to notify the Commission itself, whose Reynders was a member, which could jeopardise the confidentiality of the investigation.
A political future in the shadow of scandal
Didier Reynders, associated with the Belgian Liberal organization MR, was for 2 decades 1 of the most crucial politicians in the country. In fresh years, his position has weakened, and failures, specified as the deficiency of re-election to the European Commission, have contributed to the end of his political career.
mn
Join our community!
Follow us on our social media and stay up to date!
