The Federal police confirmed on Sunday night the existence of an internal memo directed to airport police that appears to contravene current border control guidelines amid controversies about easing passport checks at Brussels Airport.
These guidelines were recently emphasised by the Federal police leadership in preparation for the summer period, according to a statement they issued.
The federal police announced an investigation, which may lead to measures being taken, and confirmed that official border control measures remain in place to ensure smoothness and security.
It was revealed through internal communications on Friday that the director of aviation police at Brussels Airport allegedly ordered a relaxation of border controls during peak times by routinely invoking a Schengen Border Code article.
When this article is applied, border police perform only a visual passport check and stamp the document for flights from non-Schengen countries, meaning they cannot conduct searches for flagged individuals, the CSC Police Union confirmed. The information originated from Vlaams Belang, a far-right party.
On Saturday, the Federal police strongly denied having ordered any easing of border controls at Zaventem Airport, stating that such an internal memo could not have come from either the director of aviation police or management.
Interior Minister Bernard Quintin stated that he had instructed the police to duly conduct border controls.
On Saturday evening, police unions CSC and SNPS announced they would file a strike notice concerning Brussels Airport. However, according to VRT NWS, the unions will wait for the investigation before issuing a strike notice.
