Walter Van Steenbrugge goes to minister for ‘light and senseless persecution’
The Bruges department of the public prosecutor’s office of West Flanders wanted to bring Van Steenbrugge before the criminal court as a member of the criminal organization, but the lawyer was suspended from prosecution by the council chamber on 19 August.
In a press release, Master Van Steenbrugge describes the approach of the Public Prosecution Service as frivolous and pointless. “The council chamber ruled that it was not even necessary to submit this prosecution to the court,” it sounds. In the meantime, that decision is also final, because the Public Prosecution Service decided not to appeal. There is an appeal against the dismissal of another lawyer.
Van Steenbrugge now asks Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne (Open VLD) to conduct an investigation into the circumstances of his persecution. The criminal lawyer again points to the possible role of First Advocate General Francis Clarysse. Clarysse was a public prosecutor when Van Steenbrugge’s client was acquitted at the euthanasia trial. Ghent Attorney General Erwin Dernicout responded earlier that there was absolutely no question of revenge. In addition, Van Steenbrugge is urging an investigation into possible press leaks.