The Hainaut Criminal Court was forced to annul an attempted murder case on Wednesday due to documents being too damp to read. A second court has now warned that its files are also in danger of "deteriorating" for the same reasons.
Nicolas Theodorou's trial was annulled on Thursday despite being convicted in absentia for attempted murder in 2005. The Walloon Brabant Court of First Instance courthouse has now warned that its own dilapidated building might obstruct judicial procedures.
Fungus, mould and structural degradation have required several archive rooms be closed, the Nivelles courthouse said on Friday.
A report published in June 2024 and seen by Belga News Agency warned that "major flooding" had occurred in the basement and damaged the concrete inside. "The reinforced concrete therefore no longer has the fire resistance properties or even the stability that it did originally," the report states.
Restricted access
In addition, fungi and mould "are seriously degrading the building and its foundations" and compromising the health of staff. Access to archives in the attic is considered "very risky".
The report recommends the closure of the building. The courthouse remains open but access to the archival rooms is restricted, meaning that some files cannot be processed.
"Some premises are once again accessible subject to compliance with strict conditions this is not the case for certain rooms which remain closed and inaccessible," the report continued. "As in the case of the Hainaut Assize Court, other jurisdictions are running the same risk given the ongoing deterioration of files."
