Corruption in NATO, arrests in Belgium and the Netherlands

Belgian prosecutors have arrested two suspects as part of an in-depth corruption investigation, which focuses on sensitive NATO contracts, specifically in the drone and ammunition procurement sector.

This development has raised serious concerns about the integrity and transparency of the procurement process within the world's largest military alliance.

The investigation, which has been ongoing for several months, has focused on suspected irregularities in procurement procedures followed by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), a key body that deals with supplies and logistics for member countries.

Authorities suspect that some officials involved in the contract selection process accepted bribes in exchange for favoring certain defense industry companies. Furthermore, there are strong suspicions that confidential information was distributed, which unfairly influenced the competition among bidders, writes Reuters.

As part of the investigation, police have carried out a series of coordinated raids in Belgium and the Netherlands. These actions have led to the seizure of documents, electronic devices and data that could serve as evidence in this case. Among those arrested is a former senior official of the Dutch Ministry of Defense, who is suspected of direct involvement in the manipulation of procurement processes.

The case, which is expected to expand further, reportedly involves large sums of money – in the hundreds of thousands of euros – and is being treated as a high priority by Belgian authorities. Eurojust, the European Union’s agency for criminal judicial cooperation, and a number of NATO member states are also involved in the investigation, which is working to help fully unravel the scandal.

Belgian justice officials have emphasized that the investigation is still in its preliminary phase and that all parties involved will be treated in accordance with the principle of presumption of innocence, until proven guilty by a competent court.

Meanwhile, this case has caused strong reactions in political and military circles, bringing back attention to the need to strengthen control and transparency mechanisms within NATO structures. /Telegraph/