As part of the investigation into cheating at an entrance exam for would-be magistrates, the Bruges (West Flanders) deputy public prosecutor Y.S. and his wife, the Ieper (West Flanders) judge E.W., have been dismissed from their positions within the judiciary. The decision to dismiss them was taken at an appeals hearing held at the Disciplinary Court. The couple passed the exam paper to their son ahead of him sitting the examination.
Judge and Deputy Public Prosecutor sacked for helping their son to cheat at magistrates’ exam
Published:
In March 2024, it was revealed that cheating had come to light during the entrance examination for would-be magistrates. The investigation into the cheating revealed that exam questions had been given to the children of several magistrates ahead of the examination.
Y.S. and E.W.’s son was among those given prior access to the exam questions. His parents had been given the questions by the Ghent (East Flanders) Advocate-General and (jury) member of the High Council of Justice C.B. C.B. had access to the questions thanks to his position at the High Council for Justice.
Stiffer sentences on appeal
At a previous Disciplinary Court hearing, C.B. was dismissed and Y.S. and E.W. were both demoted. E.W. also had to forfeit a month’s salary.
Several parties involved in the case though that the sentences were too lenient and lodged an appeal. The appeal has resulted in the dismissal of both E.W. and her husband Y.S.
Other dismissals
Last year, the Ieper district prosecutor J.L. was also dismissed on appeal. He too had received questions from C.B. and passed them on to his child. The prosecutor A.V was also dismissed after the public prosecutor's office lodged an appeal against an earlier ruling to suspend her.