Politician accused of spying for China to be investigated by federal prosecutor

The federal public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into contacts between former far-right politician Frank Creyelman and a Chinese spy. The federal public prosecutor's office confirmed this to Belga, but does not want to give more details for the time being.

Justice minister Paul Van Tigchelt announced the news in the House Justice Committee on Wednesday afternoon. "The federal prosecutor's office is currently working on it. We are only at the beginning of a long investigation that will have to determine the role and responsibilities of each person."

Frank Creyelman came under fire last month after investigative journalists from Der Spiegel, Le Monde and The Financial Times published his chat messages with a Chinese spy, revealing that he had been bribed by the spy for years to try to influence Belgian and European policy towards China. Creyelman, a former senator and Flemish MP, was then expelled from the party.

In the aftermath, Vlaams Belang MP Steven Creyelman also came under fire. Reports revealed that Frank Creyelman also tried to influence his younger brother, according to the latter without his knowledge. The MP was removed from his position as chairman of the House Committees on Army Acquisitions, but still sits in parliament.

^{#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO}