Minister of State Louis Michel was heavily criticised by Congolese opposition politicians in late December and has received many letters containing death threats, Sudpresse newspapers reported on Friday. “I have received many death threats,” said the Euro-parliamentarian, a former European Commissioner and father of Prime Minister Charles Michel. “I refused close protection, but I am actually under surveillance. I do not wish to say more.”
The threats began on 10 December last in Oslo, during a ceremony at which the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Congolese doctor Denis Mukwege. After the award, about 10 members of the opposition Union for Democracy and Social Progress, UDPS, of the Democratic Republic of Congo slammed the Belgian politician.
During the month of December, Louis Michel received letters containing explicit death threats at his home in Jodoigne. He lodged a complaint and the matter has been taken very seriously by State Security, which offered him close protection. As he himself confirmed, he did not accept it, but has been under discreet surveillance since then.
The Brussels Times
