Semlex and 13 others referred to Belgian court over DRC passport corruption

Semlex biometric passports international corruption Democratic Republic of the Congo Belgian justice

Belgian authorities have referred 14 defendants to a criminal court in connection with a long-running investigation into the procurement of biometric passports for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

The case centers on allegations that the Belgian company Semlex, which produced Congolese biometric passports between 2015 and 2025, engaged in international corruption. Specifically, the defendants face charges of bribery of foreign public officials, money laundering, and tax fraud. Investigators allege that approximately $60 million was embezzled, with some funds potentially channeled to a relative of former Congolese President Joseph Kabila.

Among those named in the proceedings are Semlex director Albert Karaziwan and Emmanuel Adrupiako, a former financial advisor to Joseph Kabila. The investigation gained momentum in 2017 after an intermediary was arrested at Brussels Airport while carrying $400,000 in cash.

The legal action is supported by a coalition of civil parties, including Congolese citizens and human rights organizations such as the International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) and Transparency International Belgium. This marks a significant legal milestone, as it is the first time a Belgian company and its leadership have been referred to a criminal court for alleged foreign bribery related to an African public contract.

Entities

Albert Karaziwan · Belgium · Democratic Republic of the Congo · Emmanuel Adrupiako · Joseph Kabila · Le Congo n’est pas à vendre · Semlex

Claims

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

[● 2 SOURCES] The case involves the alleged embezzlement of approximately $60 million. www.fidh.org · fr.news.yahoo.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The Belgian justice system has referred 14 defendants to a criminal court regarding the Congolese biometric passport case. afrikactus.com · www.fidh.org · fr.news.yahoo.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Semlex produced biometric passports for the Democratic Republic of Congo between 2015 and 2025. www.fidh.org
[○ 1 SOURCE] The investigation was triggered in January 2017 following the arrest of an intermediary carrying $400,000 in cash at Brussels Airport. fr.news.yahoo.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Defendants face charges of bribery of foreign public officials, money laundering, and tax fraud. www.fidh.org
[● 2 SOURCES] Albert Karaziwan, head of Semlex, and Emmanuel Adrupiako, a former financial advisor to Joseph Kabila, are among the accused. afrikactus.com · fr.news.yahoo.com