Former mayor of Linkebeek charged with murder

Christian Van Eyken, a member of the Flemish parliament for the French-speaking party UF, has been charged with murder. However, hours after he was arrested, he was released because of a procedural error.

Van Eyken is the former mayor of Linkebeek, one of the municipalities in the Brussels periphery with language facilities. He is the only French-speaking member of the Flemish parliament, where he sits for Flemish Brabant for UF (Union des Francophones).

The victim was found dead in his home in Laken in July 2014, killed by a single shot. His wife was eventually revealed that the couple was divorcing because of her relationship with her boss, Van Eyken. The two could not agree on the custody of their daughter.

Last October, the investigation led to search warrants being carried out at Van Eyken’s home in Zaventem and office in the Flemish parliament. The victim’s widow was arrested shortly after.

Van Eyken was picked up last week, but the arrest warrant for his detention had not been signed by the investigating magistrate in the case and was therefore unlawful. The prosecutor’s office asked for Van Eyken to be released. The mistake has led to calls for a disciplinary enquiry and more resources for investigators.

The error means that Van Eyken cannot be re-arrested in connection with the same case unless substantial new evidence comes to light. He still faces a murder charge, however, which he denied strenuously via his lawyer, Pierre Monville. “My client denies with the utmost of his ability any involvement in the charges brought against him,” he said. “This sort of error almost never occurs, but of course the law is the law.”

Photo courtesy De Standaard