Belgium: Following accused for paedophilia, Belgian radio personality Sven Pichal resigns

Antwerp, Belgium: Sven Pichal, 44, the host of the consumer affairs programme “The Inspector” (De Inspecteur) on VRT Radio 2, was detained by federal police last Thursday at his house outside Antwerp on suspicion of owning and disseminating child pornography.

Pichal formally announced his departure from VRT two days later. In a statement sent by the presenter’s attorney, it was said that “Sven Pichal has decided to resign from VRT for personal reasons.” “Sven will receive professional guidance and leave public life. Sven thanked everyone who helped him and will not add any more comments.

Bob Vermeir, a VRT spokeswoman, subsequently verified Pichal’s choice. Everyone knew Sven well, therefore, quite a few coworkers are astonished, he added. We are now considering Sven’s replacement.

Radio 2 responded in writing: “We understand that this news has shocked you, just as it has us. Let the court handle its business in the meantime. We recognise that ‘The Inspector’ is a complicated situation with many unanswered questions. This information will be shared as soon as it is understood.

According to several Flemish analysts, the investigative judge’s choice to hold Pichal in pre-trial detention raises the possibility that additional people may be involved in the investigation.

As per journalist Rob Van Herck of VTM News, “You can only be detained based on four criteria while awaiting an appearance before the Council Chamber.” He said these include probable recidivism, fleeing, erasing evidence, or cooperating with co-conspirators.

“Collusion is perhaps important in this case,” he stated. It implies that Pichal might speak with those other suspects or consent to the destruction of potential evidence. Therefore, the investigating judge has determined that one or more of those four requirements have been satisfied.

VRT itself seems to have corroborated van Herck’s findings. The broadcaster’s spokeswoman, Vermeir, stated, “We hear that there are investigations into moral misconduct and that an investigation is being conducted against a group of people, and not just against Sven Pichal.”

Pichal, a married man with two foster children, is currently imprisoned at Turnhout prison. On Wednesday morning, he is set to appear before the Antwerp Council Chamber, which will determine whether he will continue to be held in pre-trial detention for the upcoming month.