Available “sources” of information led investigators to the younger brother of politician Stephen Kreileman.
Investigative journalists from three countries have exposed a member of Belgium’s national parliament as a spy for China’s intelligence services. This was stated in a publication in the Belgian edition of The Brussels Times on Friday, December 21.
Frank Kreileman, a former member of parliament for the far-right Flemish party Vlaams Belang, was exposed last week as an informant for Chinese intelligence services to change Belgian policy to benefit China. The link was established by a joint investigation by UK media agencies. Germany and France. The investigation is based on contact with an agent of the Chinese Ministry of State Security who explained to Kreileman that “our goal is to separate relations between the EU and the United States,” the material said.
The publication notes that, despite the fact that Kreilemen is no longer a sitting member of parliament, this former Belgian senator remains head of the Vlaams Belang political group in the Mechelen city council and maintains close ties to politics in political circles in Belgium and among members. of the European Parliament.
After the investigation put Belgium in the international spotlight, the Vlaams Belang party quickly distanced itself from Frank Kreileman, calling his behavior “unacceptable” and expelling him from the party.
The sources of information led investigators to the politician’s younger brother, Steven Kreileman, who was often mentioned in contact with a Chinese intelligence officer as a “useful tool”, especially at the time the Chinese accused telecommunications company Huawei is espionage in 2020.
Although the younger Kreileman denies such investigations and says he was unaware of his older brother’s ties to Chinese intelligence, the scandal has led to calls from members of the Belgian parliament to suspend Steve as head of the parliamentary defense procurement committee . Steve Kreileman refused to resign his position and expressed confidence that he would be acquitted.
According to the publication, parliament representatives heard today from Prime Minister Alexander De Croo and Minister of Justice Paul Van Tigschelt on this case.
The Minister of Justice, in particular, said that Belgium’s laws on punishing espionage activities have not been updated since 1897 and do not reflect the current complex geopolitical situation and the latest technologies. The official also emphasized that Russia, known for using hybrid warfare methods, is actively trying to use destructive political tactics.
As previously written, the Internal Security Agency and the Polish Military Counterintelligence Service detained 46 suspected spies for Russian or Belarusian intelligence in 2016-2023.
Source: korrespondent
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