The man who drove the boat could only later be linked to the smuggling. The Albanian had driven from Liège to De Panne in a van. The Albanian from Liège is said to be the key figure, but out of fear for their family, the other people involved do not make any statements about him. According to the defense, he is not a smuggler and said he was sent to sea with limited explanation.
The Public Prosecution Service demanded in absentia a six-year prison sentence and a 48,000 euro fine for the suspected ringleader of the gang. Two others risk the same fine and four years in prison, of which eighteen months are effective. The judge will make a ruling on January 3.