The head of Belgium's anti-corruption police has expressed concern about external pressure and political interference in his team's work, a joint report by RTBF, Le Soir, Het Nieuwsblad, De Standaard, and VRT reveals.
The senior police official, who has not been named, flagged numerous security risks for investigators from the unit and increased pressure from government authorities in their investigation of sensitive cases, such as the Qatargate scandal. The concerns were raised with the police oversight body, Comité P.
The police official has lodged two formal complaints for breaches of standards in the treatment of the Central Office for the Suppression of Corruption (OCRC). These highlight external pressure and political interference by the federal and judicial police. The concerns were first raised in late 2024. If a formal investigation is launched, it is possible that whistleblower testimonies could be used to secure convictions.
Of particular concern are the new police directives on publishing reports issued by the Central Directorate of Organised Crime (DJOSC) last September. Under these new rules, police must consult with the prosecution before filing reports, which the head of the anti-corruption unit believes will obstruct investigations into sensitive matters.
Former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri is one of the leading suspects in the Qatargate affair. Credit: EP Photo
The police has denied changing the rules to put political pressure on anti-corruption investigators. They say the new guidelines aim to standardise and enhance the quality of police reports. However, internal communications viewed by the media outlets suggest these new rules might only apply to politically sensitive cases.
On 6 February, the office of the unnamed police chief at the OCRC was raided by police and the police official's house searched. Details surrounding this raid have not been published.
Under pressure
Other investigative units within the DJOSC have also criticised the new report-sharing protocols. This includes the divisions in charge of fighting organised financial crime, computer crime, and military infractions. In a joint letter, these divisions stated that the directives were unworkable and infringe on their independence. They argue that no hierarchical body should have the power to decide on the necessity of drafting an initial police report.
One concern is that Belgium's anti-corruption service has fallen victim to espionage during the Qatargate investigation. The police official stated that spyware had been found on investigators' phones. The then Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne initially confirmed these reports but later said the findings were false.
Sun rises up on a modern office skyscraper in the neighbourhood of the European Commission's headquarters in Brussels, Monday 09 April 2001. Credit: Belga / Olivier Hoslet
A separate incident concerns an anti-corruption official who believed he had been poisoned by a large amount of amphetamines. An initial test confirmed high doses of the chemical in his blood but further tests showed no trace of the drug in his system. The officer filed a complaint with the police for attempted assassination. The investigation has since been closed due to a lack of evidence.
In response, the Belgian Federal Police has emphasised that the new rules are not intended to limit investigations but to ensure better management and consistency in handling sensitive information.
Nonetheless, the timing and nature of the directive have sparked debate within law enforcement circles, with some officers, under anonymity, telling the media outlets that they saw it as a move to control the narrative and outcomes of investigations in cases that could be politically damaging.
