Belgian authorities have formally charged former Deputy Prime Minister and ex–European Union Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders with money laundering, following an investigation into unexplained cash deposits totaling nearly one million euros. The case has drawn renewed attention to financial transparency among senior public officials and the long shadow of corruption allegations in European political life.
According to reporting by Belgian daily Le Soir and Dutch investigative outlet Follow The Money, Reynders was questioned by authorities on October 16 in connection with approximately €700,000 in cash deposits allegedly made into an ING Bank account between 2008 and 2018. Investigators say the deposits were made in liquid cash and lacked clear documentation regarding their origin.
Reynders’ wife, Bernadette Prignon, a former magistrate, was also reportedly questioned by investigators but has not been charged. The questioning reportedly followed a December 2024 session before investigating judge Olivier Reloux, during which both Reynders and his wife were interviewed. Reynders has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that the funds originated from the sale of artwork.
In a brief statement seen by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), Reynders’ lawyer, André Renette, said his client would not comment publicly on the case. “The secrecy of the investigation exists to guarantee the presumption of innocence owed to my client, and to preserve the authority and impartiality of the judiciary,” Renette wrote, emphasizing the need to allow legal proceedings to unfold without external pressure.
The European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) similarly declined to comment on the matter, citing confidentiality obligations and the need to protect personal data and procedural rights. “We are not in a position to provide details regarding cases which OLAF may or may not be treating,” the agency said in a written statement.
The probe has also extended beyond Reynders personally. ING Belgium was reportedly investigated in August over its role in managing the accounts associated with the deposits, raising questions about bank oversight, transaction monitoring, and compliance controls in handling high-risk or politically exposed clients.
Reynders served as Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister and later as EU Commissioner for Justice from 2019 to 2024, a role that placed him at the center of European policy on rule of law, judicial cooperation, and anti-corruption standards. The irony of a former justice chief now facing criminal charges has not been lost on political observers.
This is not the first time Reynders has faced scrutiny. In 2019, the Brussels public prosecutor opened an investigation after a former intelligence officer accused him of bribery linked to government contracts, including the construction of the Belgian embassy in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as alleged ties to arms dealers and political influence surrounding Congolese elections. That investigation was closed the same month, with prosecutors stating there was no evidence of a criminal offense.
While the current case remains under judicial secrecy, the allegations underscore ongoing challenges in tracking unexplained wealth, enforcing anti-money laundering controls, and maintaining accountability among senior public officials. Legal experts caution that charges do not imply guilt, and that the presumption of innocence remains fundamental under Belgian law.
As the investigation continues, authorities are expected to examine transaction records, asset declarations, and the credibility of the claimed art sales used to explain the cash inflows. The outcome could carry significant implications not only for Reynders personally, but also for regulatory expectations surrounding politically exposed persons and banking due diligence across Europe.
For now, both Belgian prosecutors and European institutions remain tight-lipped, leaving the case to progress through the courts — a process likely to be closely watched by policymakers, compliance professionals, and the public alike.
By FCCT Editorial Team
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