Brussels prosecutor's office investigates potential poisoning of Qatargate detective
A chief inspector of the Brussels federal police, which is investigating the Qatargate scandal, has filed a complaint against unknown persons for attempted poisoning. A high dose of amphetamines was found in his body after a disturbance in January, De Standaard and Gazet van Antwerpen report on Thursday.
At the end of last month, the inspector was arrested for causing trouble in a Brussels pub with two colleagues. The three are said to have caused a disturbance while drunk, with the inspector hitting a waiter. He also insulted and tried to hit a local police inspector.
His behaviour was so "barbaric" that he had to be handcuffed and taken to hospital, where he was given an injection to calm him down. He then spent the night in a prison cell, banging on the door and moaning in pain. He was finally taken back to hospital where it was discovered that he had suffered a ruptured bladder, possibly as a result of a fall.
Overdose symptoms
A urine and blood test also showed that the man still had a huge dose of amphetamines in his system 12 hours after the event. He has no memory of the night in the café. His colleagues, who had no full recollection of the night, showed the same - but slightly milder - symptoms of an amphetamine overdose.
Moreover, the detectives have an impeccable reputation, which raises suspicions that someone added something to their drinks. Het Nieuwsblad writes that amphetamine poisoning is a well-known secret service technique to compromise an opponent.
The Brussels public prosecutor's office has opened an investigation into attempted murder but is not providing any further information.
Qatargate is the ongoing political scandal in which European Parliament officials, lobbyists and their families are accused of corruption, money laundering and organised crime, influenced by the governments of Qatar, Morocco and Mauritania. The scandal erupted in December 2022 when Belgian police arrested several political figures and seized more than 1.5 million euros in cash in a series of raids. Both Qatar and Morocco deny any involvement in corruption. |
© BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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