In a case that has sent shockwaves through European political circles, Belgian authorities have charged former European Union Justice Commissioner and former Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Didier Reynders with money laundering involving approximately one million euros. The allegations, which include the use of suspicious cash deposits and a purported lottery ticket scheme, mark one of the most serious corruption-related accusations ever leveled against a former EU commissioner.

The investigation, spearheaded by the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office, centers around a decade-long period between 2008 and 2018, during which Reynders allegedly deposited around €700,000 into his account at ING Bank. The total sum under scrutiny reportedly rises to about €1 million, including various unexplained transfers and cash holdings. Belgian daily Le Soir and the Dutch investigative outlet Follow The Money first reported the charges, which have now been confirmed by multiple sources close to the inquiry.

Didier Reynders, 66, is no stranger to controversy-or power. Over a political career spanning more than three decades, he has held some of the highest offices in both Belgian and European politics. A senior member of the French-speaking Reformist Movement (MR), Reynders served as Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, and later Deputy Prime Minister, before being appointed EU Commissioner for Justice in 2019, a post he held until earlier this year.

Reynders’ reputation as a polished diplomat and seasoned bureaucrat made him one of Belgium’s most influential politicians. However, the new charges threaten to permanently tarnish that image. Sources close to the investigation say the probe gained momentum in late 2024, when financial irregularities in Reynders’........

© Blitz