In a case that has sent shockwaves through European political circles, Belgian authorities have charged former European Union Justice Commissioner and former Belgian Deputy Prime Minister Didier Reynders with money laundering involving approximately one million euros. The allegations, which include the use of suspicious cash deposits and a purported lottery ticket scheme, mark one of the most serious corruption-related accusations ever leveled against a former EU commissioner.

The investigation, spearheaded by the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office, centers around a decade-long period between 2008 and 2018, during which Reynders allegedly deposited around €700,000 into his account at ING Bank. The total sum under scrutiny reportedly rises to about €1 million, including various unexplained transfers and cash holdings. Belgian daily Le Soir and the Dutch investigative outlet Follow The Money first reported the charges, which have now been confirmed by multiple sources close to the inquiry.

Didier Reynders, 66, is no stranger to controversy-or power. Over a political career spanning more than three decades, he has held some of the highest offices in both Belgian and European politics. A senior member of the French-speaking Reformist Movement (MR), Reynders served as Belgium’s Foreign Minister, Finance Minister, and later Deputy Prime Minister, before being appointed EU Commissioner for Justice in 2019, a post he held until earlier this year.

Reynders’ reputation as a polished diplomat and seasoned bureaucrat made him one of Belgium’s most influential politicians. However, the new charges threaten to permanently tarnish that image. Sources close to the investigation say the probe gained momentum in late 2024, when financial irregularities in Reynders’ ING Bank accounts raised red flags. Investigators reportedly found large cash deposits that lacked credible explanations, prompting suspicions of laundering.

Judge Olivier Reloux, who is overseeing the case, first questioned Reynders and his wife, Bernadette Prignon, in December 2024. Prignon, a former magistrate, was also interrogated but has not been charged. Prosecutors are reportedly examining whether she may have had knowledge of or played a role in the financial transactions under investigation.

One of the more unusual details to emerge involves a “lottery ticket scheme”, allegedly used to justify the influx of cash. Investigators suspect Reynders may have used fabricated lottery winnings as a cover story for unexplained deposits. The idea, according to Belgian media reports, was to make the origin of the funds appear legitimate by claiming they stemmed from lucky bets rather than questionable business dealings.

Reynders, through his lawyer André Renette, has firmly denied any wrongdoing. In a statement to reporters, Renette said his client “has no comments to make except to the justice system,” emphasizing that the presumption of innocence must be respected. “The secrecy of the investigation exists to guarantee the presumption of innocence owed to my client, and to preserve the authority and impartiality of the judiciary,” Renette added.

Reynders has reportedly told investigators that the money in question came from art sales-a claim that authorities are now attempting to verify. Belgian prosecutors are said to be reviewing documentation related to art transactions, though it remains unclear whether any verifiable records support his defense.

The case also casts a shadow over ING Belgium, which was itself investigated in August over potential compliance failures related to Reynders’ accounts. Belgian authorities are trying to determine whether the bank’s internal controls flagged the large cash deposits and, if so, why no reports of suspicious activity were made at the time.

Meanwhile, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), the EU’s own watchdog agency tasked with investigating financial crimes involving EU institutions, has declined to comment. In a written statement to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), OLAF said it was “not in a position to provide details regarding cases which OLAF may or may not be treating,” citing confidentiality and the need to protect procedural rights.

That silence has sparked debate among EU insiders. Some argue that OLAF should be more transparent when allegations involve such a high-ranking former official, while others stress that confidentiality is crucial to maintaining the integrity of investigations.

This is not the first time Reynders has been accused of corruption or financial impropriety. In 2019, Belgian prosecutors opened a separate probe after a former intelligence officer accused him of bribery and corruption tied to government contracts, including the construction of the Belgian embassy in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The accusations also referenced alleged connections to arms dealers and questionable involvement in Congolese elections.

Those charges were ultimately dropped within weeks, with prosecutors stating that “there was no criminal offence.” At the time, Reynders dismissed the accusations as “absurd,” claiming they were politically motivated. However, critics say the pattern of recurring allegations raises deeper concerns about the culture of accountability within European institutions.

The case comes at a sensitive time for the European Union, which has been rocked in recent years by a series of scandals involving high-ranking officials. From the “Qatargate” bribery case in the European Parliament to alleged misuse of funds by EU commissioners, the institution has struggled to convince citizens that it can effectively police itself.

Reynders’ indictment is especially symbolic because, as EU Commissioner for Justice, he was responsible for promoting the rule of law, transparency, and anti-corruption measures across the bloc. During his tenure, he frequently criticized member states like Hungary and Poland for undermining judicial independence. Now, those same themes-integrity, accountability, and judicial fairness-are being invoked against him.

Observers fear that this episode could further erode public confidence in European governance. “The optics are devastating,” said a Brussels-based political analyst. “When the EU’s former justice chief is accused of money laundering, it reinforces the perception that Brussels is detached from the standards it preaches.”

Belgian prosecutors are expected to continue gathering evidence in the coming months, focusing on tracing the origin of the funds and any potential intermediaries involved. Depending on the outcome, Reynders could face a trial that would test both Belgium’s judicial resolve and the EU’s credibility on corruption.

For now, Reynders remains free but under intense scrutiny. He has not resigned from his party or withdrawn from public life, though his political career appears to be hanging by a thread. The once-respected statesman, who built his reputation as a defender of European legal values, now finds himself on the other side of the law-accused of the very crimes he once vowed to fight.

Whether the allegations prove true or not, the case of Didier Reynders serves as a stark reminder: no official, no matter how high their office, is beyond the reach of justice.

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Tajul Islam is a Special Correspondent of Blitz.