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[INTERNATIONAL] · Belgium · 2 sources

Didier Reynders faces allegations of Russian ties and intelligence interference

Didier Reynders Belgian State Security Service Russia intelligence interference Hugues Brulin

Leaked WhatsApp messages between former EU Commissioner for Justice Didier Reynders and Hugues Brulin, a high-ranking official at the Belgian State Security Service (VSSE), have raised questions regarding potential Russian influence and the suppression of intelligence.

The correspondence, spanning from 2019 to 2023, reveals an informal relationship between the two men. While a current criminal investigation focuses on allegations that Reynders laundered approximately 1 million euros through cash deposits and lottery tickets, the leaked messages suggest a broader controversy involving the concealment of information regarding Reynders’ alleged links to Moscow.

Intelligence sources claim that Brulin, in his capacity as director of personnel and IT, may have orchestrated staff reshuffles to remove agents investigating Reynders’ potential collusion with Russia. A central figure in the dispute is Nicolas Ullens, a former intelligence agent who alleged that Reynders acted as a Russian informant and worked to undermine the Belgian response to Russian aggression.

Entities

Belgian State Security Service · Didier Reynders · European Union · Hugues Brulin · Nicolas Ullens

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

  • [● 2 SOURCES] The WhatsApp correspondence between Reynders and Brulin spans the years 2019 to 2023. fr.businessam.be · businessam.be
  • [○ 1 SOURCE] Ullens claimed Reynders undermined the Belgian response to Russian aggression. businessam.be
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Reynders is under criminal investigation for allegedly laundering approximately 1 million euros via cash and lottery tickets. fr.businessam.be · businessam.be
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Leaked WhatsApp messages exist between Didier Reynders and Hugues Brulin. fr.businessam.be · businessam.be
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Brulin allegedly orchestrated personnel reshuffles to remove agents investigating Reynders' potential collusion with Moscow. fr.businessam.be · businessam.be
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Intelligence sources claim Hugues Brulin used his position to protect Reynders from investigation. fr.businessam.be · businessam.be
  • [● 2 SOURCES] Nicolas Ullens, a former intelligence agent, alleged that Reynders acted as a Russian informant. fr.businessam.be · businessam.be

Sources

Des informations divulguées soulèvent des questions sur les liens présumés de Didier Reynders avec la Russie [fr.businessam.be]
Uitgelekte berichten werpen vragen op over Reynders’ vermeende banden met Rusland [businessam.be]