Reynders: Suspect funds, alleged to be €1m, came from ‘private wealth’

Didier Reynders on Friday formally denied criminal accusations made against him, after it emerged that the Belgian police were investigating him on suspicion of money laundering.

On Friday, Belgian media outlet RTBF reported that the investigation into Reynders – previously Belgian finance and foreign minister and more recently EU Justice Commissioner – concerned around €1 million in suspicious funds.

Speaking through a lawyer, Reynders said he was helping the magistrate in charge with inquiries and that the case related to “the management of his private wealth.”

“The criminal classification given to the facts as presented in the press is formally opposed, as a matter of both fact and law,” the statement said, adding: “in no way are the political mandates he has held in question.”

The raids, which took place immediately after his five-year term at the European Commission ceased on Sunday, were first reported by investigative outlet Follow the Money and Belgian newspaper Le Soir.

The probe largely concerns around €800,000 in suspect cash payments over the last 15 years, and around €200,000 in ticket purchases for the Belgian national lottery over the last five years, RTBF reported.

During raids of properties linked to Reynders, police also found €7,000 in cash, RTBF said.

An EU anti-money laundering law agreed earlier this year during his mandate deems national lotteries to be low risk, and hence in need of fewer checks – though a Commission spokesperson has denied that Reynders or his team had any influence over that legal provision.

Reynders’ lawyer declined to comment further, citing the need to respect judicial procedures and recalling the presumption of innocence.