Investigation underway

Ex-EU Justice Commissioner under investigation for money laundering

Shortly after his departure as EU Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders is now being investigated on suspicion of money laundering. This was announced by the Public Prosecutor General's Office in Brussels on Wednesday. It is likely to be a case of machinations in connection with gambling.

No details were initially provided by Brussels. According to media reports, several homes were searched and the Belgian was questioned by the police. Reynders is said to have bought e-tickets at sales outlets that could be transferred to a gambling account held with the National Lottery. The tickets were vouchers worth between one and 100 euros.

According to the media, some of these lottery tickets were purchased in cash and the winnings were paid into Reynders' digital account with the National Lottery. They were then transferred to a current account. It is unclear where the Belgian got the money for the e-tickets. No specific sums were initially disclosed.

Reynders was EU Justice Commissioner in the first cabinet of Commission President Ursula von der Leyen from 2019 to 2024, with responsibility for the rule of law, for example. Previously, the 66-year-old was Belgian Finance Minister from 1999 to 2011 and then Foreign Minister until 2019.