A former local councillor in Mortsel (Province of Antwerp) was arrested for questioning over his alleged involvement in a drug gang on Tuesday, but denies any criminal activity, according to his lawyer.
The 27-year-old man was released after questioning under conditions, although the prosecutor’s office claims there is substantial evidence of his guilt.
According to the Public Prosecutor's Office, there are "serious indications" that the former councillor was involved in the export and transport of narcotics.
The investigation is still ongoing, the public prosecutor's office emphasised on Tuesday. Authorities also conducted a search at the Mortsel town hall.
The politician was arrested on the very day he was to be sworn in again as a municipal councillor. He was not re-elected in the October elections, but was due to stand in for a fellow party member over the next few months. However, he could not be sworn in due to the arrest.
Illustration picture shows Mortsel on an aerial view of the city of Antwerp, Monday 08 June 2015. Credit: Belga
The arrest is part of an investigation that began based on decrypted messages from the notorious platform Sky ECC.
The gang in question is believed to have been involved in drug import, export, and transport during the period 2020-2021. The two other men in their twenties who were arrested on Tuesday in the same case were released after questioning.
The former councillor's lawyer, Jan Swennen, argued that his client had access to a suspicious account for professional reasons during a brief period, which should not be considered a criminal act. Swennen insisted that his client is fully cooperating with the investigation and is confident about its outcome.
Swennen also asserted that certain media reports have compromised his client’s presumption of innocence.
He emphasised that his client has never abused his political mandate, which he has always carried out honourably. He hopes the judicial investigation will be concluded promptly to put an end to the allegations.
