The Hal-Vilvoorde Public Prosecutor’s Office has requested a three-year prison sentence for Commissioner J.R., a senior police official accused of rape and sexual assault involving two women. The allegations, which the 60-year-old defendant denies, pertain to incidents that reportedly occurred in 2014 and 2019.
The case came to light in June 2019 when a 32-year-old woman lodged a complaint against J.R. She accused him of raping her during a two-day seminar held at a hotel in Machelen, Flemish Brabant, the previous month.
J.R., a political adviser with the Permanent Local Police Commission at the time, was attending the seminar organized by a digital communication company where the woman worked.
According to the plaintiff, J.R. followed her to her hotel room after a day of meetings and assaulted her. Investigators subsequently uncovered a second allegation, dating back to 2014, during their inquiry.
In this earlier incident, another woman, identified as J.R.’s former partner, told investigators she was sexually assaulted after a chance encounter years after their breakup. She claimed J.R. forced her to perform oral sex in a restaurant car park.
Defence Disputes Allegations
During court proceedings on Thursday, the defence argued that the encounters were consensual, insisting there was no basis for the charges of rape or assault.
J.R.’s lawyer highlighted testimonies from colleagues present at the Machelen seminar, suggesting the commissioner and the first plaintiff were openly flirting the night before the alleged incident.
The defence also pointed to what it described as inconsistencies in the plaintiff’s behavior. “The day after the alleged rape, the complainant and my client were seen trying to get closer to each other. A rape victim does not willingly seek the company of their attacker the following day,” the defence counsel stated.
Investigation and Court Proceedings
The investigation into the 2019 complaint led authorities to reexamine J.R.’s past relationships, ultimately uncovering the second allegation. Both incidents have drawn significant public attention due to the seniority of the accused within the Belgian police force.
Prosecutors have emphasized the seriousness of the charges, noting the impact on the alleged victims and the gravity of sexual violence accusations against a high-ranking law enforcement official.
In addition to the requested prison term, the prosecution is seeking additional penalties, including potential dismissal from the police service.
Awaiting Verdict
The court is expected to deliver its verdict on December 19, closing a contentious case that has sparked debate about accountability and misconduct within law enforcement.
J.R., who remains free pending the court’s decision, has consistently maintained his innocence. Both complainants, whose identities have been withheld for privacy reasons, have expressed hope for justice through the legal proceedings.
The case has also drawn attention from women’s rights advocates, who view the trial as a litmus test for how Belgium addresses allegations of sexual violenc
