The former far-right politician Franck Creyelman will not stand trial for espionage. Mr Creylemen severed as an MP and local councillor in the city of Mechelen (Antwerp Province) for Vlaams Belang and its forerunner Vlaams Blok. The Federal Prosecutor’s Office says that there is not enough evidence to charge Mr Creyleman with espionage.
Former far-right politician that exchanged thousands of messages with Chinees spy won’t stand trial
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For many years Frank Creyelman and a Chinees spy send hundreds of messages to each other. This was between 2019 and 2022, when Mr Creyelman was a member of the Flemish Parliament and the Belgian Senate. The Chinese spy hope to steer the political agenda in favour of China.
Mr Creyelman was allegedly paid to influence discussion concerning China’s persecution of the Uighurs and the erosion of freedom of speech and press freedom in Hong Kong. The former far-right politician is alleged to have been paid in crypto currency by the Chinees.
The close relationship between Frank Creyelman and the Chinees spy came to light in reports published in ‘The Financial Times’, ‘Le Monde’ and ‘Der Spiegel’.
Expelled from the party
Frank Creyelman was expelled from Vlaams Belang as soon as the allegation emerged. He stayed on as an independent on Mechelen City Council until the end of his mandate in 2024 before bowing out of politics.
An investigation by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that there were contacts between Mr Creyelman and a Chinees spy and that payments were made to the former politician in crypto currency from China. However, it could not be proved that the payments came from the Chinees government nor that the payment was made to influence Frank Creyelman.
As there is insufficient proof of any wrongdoing, Mr Creyelman will not have to stand trial.