Belgian federal police carried out coordinated searches at properties linked to relatives and associates of Democratic Republic of Congo President Félix Tshisekedi as part of an investigation into suspected money laundering. The Federal Prosecutor's Office confirmed that the searches took place in Brussels and several municipalities in Flemish Brabant and Walloon Brabant, with several dozen police officers involved in the operations.
The investigation focuses on members of Tshisekedi's family who hold Belgian nationality, rather than the president himself, who benefits from legal immunity as a sitting head of state. Authorities declined to identify the properties searched or disclose whether any individuals were questioned, assets seized or arrests made, citing the secrecy of the investigation and the presumption of innocence.
The case stems from complaints filed in July 2025 by civil society organisations and four former executives of Gécamines, the Congolese state-owned mining company. The complaints allege corruption, embezzlement of public funds and money laundering linked to mining activities in the southeastern provinces of Haut-Katanga and Lualaba, with proceeds allegedly diverted through financial accounts and assets in Belgium.
The investigation remains ongoing, and no formal charges have been announced. The allegations have not been established in court, and there was no immediate public response from Congolese officials.