The Old Belgian Case

About October 1996 Victor decided to expand his Aircess operation into Europe, and Belgium was the location for the European expansion at the recommendation of the senior Aircess director Ronald DeSmet, who is a Belgian citizen and commercial pilot. Ronald advised to set up the base in Ostend airport in Belgium because that was the only airport in western Europe that allows the older, stage-II aircraft to operate.

The operation was to be set up as an investment and as such it should have provided Victor the right to reside in Belgium. The matter was handled by a group of legal and financial advisors, and was to be managed by Ronald DeSmet. The documents related to this matter are provided here.  Hundred of thousands of dollars were spent on lawyers, consultants, and accounts fees, and hundreds more were wasted by Ronald DeSmet on travel, housing, and PR. Victor went to Belgium and met with the government's officials to find out that he was mislead by Ronald. As such, the project was folded and Victor asked Ronald to shut down whatever he started. 

Just after the infamous UN report 1225 was published, Peleman announced that the Belgian government will be investigating the activities of Victor Bout in Belgium; later the Belgian government announced that they are investigating Victor for illegally entering Belgium and for money laundering. Victor was in Belgium as "Victor Bout" as proven by the official communication (provided here) and on a visa issued by the Belgian consulate in UAE. Victor was not a signor on any bank account and was not involved in any banking or financial activities in Belgium.  Nonetheless, the Belgian court issued a summon for Victor, he ignored it, so a warrant for his arrest was issued. 

It was obvious that the groundless allegations aimed to form legal grounds and to show cause to permit the Belgian authorities to officially investigate Victor Bout and his activities. The investigation which lasted for 10 full years cost the Belgian government more than $2.5 million dollar (1.7 million Euro) and it was, of course, conducted with the assistance of Johan Peleman.

After thoroughly investigating every possible lead and theory provided in the UN reports, the alleged experts, and the media, the matter was kept open for the entire legal time-frame possible. After 10 years the case was closed, the warrant was cancelled, and the investigation was concluded in finding no evidence whatsoever to substantiate any of the allegations against Victor Bout. The court final decision is provided here for a reference.

Ronald DeSmet embezzled over one million dollar from this project and he moved to Africa where he purchased a diamond mine in Congo with the help of his partner Sanjivan Ruprah. Both DeSmet and Ruprah received immunity from the US government on the condition that they provide information against Victor Bout; they made up some stories to make the US government happy.  The stories did not check out and the US government is now after both of them. Ronald DeSmet's mine did not work as he expected, and after travelling between Europe and the UAE, he sold his properties in Europe, divorced his wife, and moved back to Africa. Ruprah still lives in Africa.