Belgian ex‑EU justice chief faces probe over lottery scandal
Belgian police have searched the properties of Didier Reynders, the former EU Justice Commissioner, as part of a money laundering investigation. The probe focuses on his activities related to the National Lottery between 2007 and 2011, as reported by TVN24, citing the portal Follow the Money and the Belgian newspaper "Le Soir".
The searches at Reynders' homes by the Belgian police are part of an ongoing money-laundering investigation, according to the portal Follow the Money and "Le Soir".
Investigators suspect that Reynders may have laundered money through the National Lottery, which he oversaw from 2007 to 2011.
Police at the homes of the former EU Commissioner
Journalists have obtained information suggesting that the former commissioner allegedly purchased e-tickets worth between €1 and €100 (£0.83 and £83), which he then transferred to a National Lottery account. Reynders reportedly used the lottery account and cash to participate in lottery games, and the laundered money allegedly ended up in his private account.
The scheme was reported by the National Lottery and the Belgian financial intelligence unit (CTIF-CFI), which monitors transactions potentially linked to money laundering or terrorism financing. As noted on its website by the Belgian gaming commission, this is a common method for laundering money, even if initial losses outweigh gains.
According to CTIF-CFI, Reynders' suspicious financial activities, involving a considerable sum, spanned a lengthy period and commenced during his active years in national politics.
Police awaited the end of the EC's term
Belgian media have determined that the prosecutor's office initiated an investigation against the former commissioner as early as 2023, but it was conducted secretly—so much so that the case files were only made available to the police on Tuesday. The prosecutor's office delayed searching the politician's homes until after the previous European Commission's term ended and Reynders' immunity lapsed. This occurred last Saturday; from Sunday, the new European Commission began its operations. Otherwise, consent for the proceedings would have needed to be granted by the college of commissioners and the EC President, Ursula von der Leyen, which might have compromised the investigation's confidentiality.
Media speculation suggests that this case could mark the end of Reynders' political career. For many years, he was considered a prominent figure in Belgian politics. From 1999 to 2011, he served as Minister of Finance, and until 2019, he was Minister of Foreign Affairs. In the previous European Commission, he was the Justice Commissioner. Upon assigning him the role in 2019, the EC President urged him to "ensure the rule of law is upheld across the Union".
As a former minister, Reynders still enjoys certain protections: if an investigating judge wishes to arrest him or refer his case to court, approval from the Belgian parliament will be required.
