‘I have to fight crime, but since taking office I haven’t received any additional resources,’ says Brussels Public Prosecutor Julien Moinil in his first interview in Dutch since taking charge a year ago. The Public Prosecutor looks back on his first year in charge in Brussels and his tough, successful crackdown on drug gangs. Yet he remains disappointed: 'The government does not have to wait until a magistrate is shot.'
Julien Moinil has been the new public prosecutor of Brussels since 9 January 2025. In this new role, his main aim has been to put an end to drug-related violence in the Belgian and Flemish capital. This resulted in the ‘Moinil effect’: twice as many suspects were arrested in Brussels last year compared to 2024.
Quizzed by VRT News he looks back on his first year as public prosecutor in Brussels. 'A fascinating, complex challenge,' he says. 'It’s not easy on a human level either.' Criminal organisations have noticed his tough approach, leading to Moinil being placed under protection according to the highest threat level.
When asked whether he is still receiving threats, he prefers not to comment. ‘But that’s part of my job. I’m not going to get any compliments from criminals.’
According to Moinil, other magistrates are also being threatened. He calls on politicians to take extra security measures. ‘The government must not wait to provide us with protection until a magistrate is shot.’
An extra 1 billion euros...
This is not the prosecutor’s only appeal to the federal government. While more people are being arrested, if the justice system cannot follow through with prosecutions, Moinil’s work will be in vain.
‘The government always says it wants safety for its citizens, but we are not being given the resources. I have read that justice minister Annelies Verlinden (Flemish Christian democrat) has been allocated an extra 1 billion euros, but we have not seen a single euro of that yet.’
Is he disappointed in the government? ‘Yes. I haven’t received any additional resources since taking office. I have to fight crime, but the federal judicial police don’t have enough capacity to investigate the most significant criminal organisations.’
‘I have identified those organisations, but I cannot launch any investigations because I have no police officers. That is not normal.’ And the only ones benefiting from this are the drug gangs. ‘They are gaining more and more power. There is, for sure, a shortfall of 100 police officers in the Brussels Federal Judicial Police.’
Needed: a justice system fit for purpose
Moinil is therefore calling on the government to invest in the justice system. ‘Last night there were three shootings. What am I supposed to do with the perpetrators? Release them because the prisons are overcrowded? What am I supposed to do with a young lad who has committed violent robbery? Release him because there’s no room in the youth detention centre? That’s irresponsible. It’s up to politicians to provide concrete resources.’
The Brussels public prosecutor is primarily keen to see a greater sense of security for the public at large. ‘Every day we see victims. They didn’t ask for this, yet they are affected by theft, bullets in their windows and in their children’s bedrooms.’
‘We must respond on behalf of the public. They deserve a justice system that works. Who can live with drug dealers on their street? That’s simply not on.’