AWDC furious over miscommunication by Antwerp Public Prosecutor

In response to the article entitled ‘Diamantairs arrested for drug money laundering' that was published in Gazet van Antwerpen on Thursday, 2 October, 2014, both AWDC and the Antwerp Prosecutor have issued an official statement.

AWDC is furious over the Antwerp public prosecutor’s miscommunication. "For the second time in just three months, our entire industry has been put in a bad light because of an incorrect communication by the Antwerp Department of Justice," says Margaux Donckier, spokeswoman for AWDC. In July, the Antwerp prosecutor already had to rectify its miscommunication concerning the alleged arrest of Baron Dilip Mehta, which proved to be a case of mistaken identity.

Even though the Antwerp public prosecutor rectified its miscommunication twice at AWDC’s explicit request, the damage it has caused is irrevocable. We call on all journalists to double-check the information they receive, including with the umbrella organization AWDC itself. AWDC has no issue with The Department of Justice communicating over the investigations that it conducts, even if those investigations are linked to the diamond sector. However, it is unacceptable that stories begin to lead a life of their own as a result of unclear and insufficiently nuanced communication by the Prosecutor, noted AWDC.

Also, the Antwerp Public Prosecutor office spokeswoman Stéphanie Chomé issued a statement which read, “"It has come to our attention that the Antwerp Public Prosecutor’s press release, published on October 1 concerning the recent house searches, which took place in the framework of suspected drug money laundering, has caused some to believe that diamond traders are the primary subject of our investigation.

"Although the house searches were indeed conducted in the area near the Antwerp Central (Train) Station and in and around the diamond district, the Antwerp prosecutor wishes to emphasize that only one suspect has ties to the Antwerp diamond sector. The other suspects are not directly connected to the diamond industry. It would not be truthful to conclude that mainly diamond dealers are the subject of our investigation, and that the money laundering operations were facilitated by the diamond industry.

“Please understand that in the interest of the investigation and to safeguard the rights of all parties, we cannot comment on the profile, the background nor the possible role of each suspect. I therefore, kindly ask you to report on this matter with the necessary caution and nuance."