On Wednesday, Het Nieuwsblad indicated that the envelope, containing a suspect powder and addressed to the former Minister for Asylum and Immigration, Theo Francken, on 31 December, in reality only contained flour and plastic. The information was confirmed by the Leuven Public Prosecutor’s Office, adding that the investigation to find the perpetrator of the letter is already underway.
The envelope arrived on Monday morning at Lubbeek town hall, where Theo Francken is himself the Mayor. The Flemish nationalist (of the New Flemish Alliance) had taken the envelope to his home, where he had opened it. When it appeared that the envelope contained a powder, the nature of which could not be determined, the home of the former secretary of state was then “quarantined”, and a medical intervention plan was launched.
Members of the Francken family, and two colleagues present on site, underwent a medical examination, whilst civil protection assistance was sent to the premises.
The envelope having been taken by civil protection assistance for analysis and nobody being ill or displaying any symptoms, the deputy’s home was taken out of “quarantine”.
Through the investigation conducted by civil protection assistance, in the meantime it appeared that the envelope did not contain any dangerous products, only flour and plastic.
The Brussels Times
