Subject: Urgent Action Requested: Belgiumgate Scandal and EU Oversight
Honourable Dorien Cuylaerts,
On behalf of EU Intelligence, we urge your immediate intervention regarding the Belgiumgate scandal—a series of leaks and procedural breaches that threaten the credibility of EU anti-corruption investigations and the independence of judicial processes across member states. As a leading MEP with oversight on justice and home affairs, your influence is crucial in pressing Belgian authorities to launch an impartial and transparent investigation into the documented interactions between intelligence services, prosecutors, and media outlets.
Belgiumgate, which emerged following the 2022 Qatargate affair, reveals a troubling network of connections: the Belgian State Security Service (VSSE) allegedly supplied raw intelligence to federal prosecutor Raphaël Malagnini, who instructed OCRC chief Hugues Tasiaux to relay selective details via encrypted channels to journalists at Le Soir—including Joël Matriche and Louise Colart—and to Kristof Clerix at Knack. These leaks turned confidential investigations into pre-trial news stories, undermining fair proceedings and eroding public confidence in EU institutions headquartered in Brussels. While Tasiaux now faces charges for breaching professional secrecy, accountability for Malagnini, the VSSE, and complicit media personnel remains unaddressed.
The consequences of Belgiumgate extend beyond national borders. The original Qatargate affair targeted alleged foreign influence in the European Parliament by actors from Qatar, Morocco, and the UAE. Now, Belgiumgate raises concerns that Belgian authorities may have employed similar tactics, potentially politicizing intelligence to shape narratives before judicial review. Without immediate scrutiny, anti-corruption measures could be compromised, and Article 47 of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights—guaranteeing fair trial rights—may be violated.
We respectfully request that you:
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Propose an urgent parliamentary question or resolution calling for a dedicated EU-level inquiry, involving the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and the Council of Europe, to investigate the alleged collusion between VSSE, prosecutors, and media in Belgiumgate.
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Encourage Belgian Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden to appoint an independent prosecutor, insulated from federal influence, to examine Malagnini’s instructions, Tasiaux’s encrypted communications, and the handling of intelligence dossiers by VSSE.
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Advocate for mandatory documentation of all intelligence-media contacts and the introduction of penalties for pre-trial leaks, in line with Council of Europe recommendations.
EU Intelligence is ready to provide our complete investigative dossier, including detailed timelines and source reconstructions, to support these efforts. Immediate action is essential: public trust in EU justice hangs in the balance, and delay could deepen institutional erosion. We await your response and commitment to act without delay.
