An RTL-TVI journalist informed West Brussels Police (Jette, Ganshoren, Koekelberg, Berchem-Sainte-Agathe, Molenbeek-Saint-Jean) on Tuesday that he was in possession of video images showing a police officer, unaware that he is being filmed, accepting a bribe in return for facilitating a sham marriage. In response to these allegations, the local police department immediately informed the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Brussels, which launched a preliminary investigation. The images have subsequently been seized as evidence, it was confirmed on Wednesday.
In cases such as this, standard procedure calls for the identification of any individuals that may be implicated, and for the images in question to be analysed. The Public Prosecutor’s Office has referred this aspect of the investigation to the Inspector General. The disciplinary hearing which will eventually take place will be conducted under the jurisdiction of the Police Force.
The Mayor of Jette, Hervé Doyen, says that he contacted the Chief of Police as soon as he became aware of the video. “If these allegations prove to be accurate, then this incident is shameful and appalling. The relationship between the police and the general public should be one of trust, and behaviour such as this is clearly in breach of that trust. Regardless of the sum in question, this is completely unacceptable in a democracy,” he stated.
(Source: Belga)
