Koekelberg returns to Federal Police

The former commissioner of the Belgian Federal Police, Fernand Koekelberg, returned to work on Monday after being cleared of charges related to rape.

Koekelberg, 59, was suspended as head of the force in 2011 following reports of a luxury trip to Qatar and the purchasing of expensive handbags. Shortly thereafter he was accused of rape by his ex-partner, charges that Koekelberg has steadfastly denied.

He was cleared of the rape charges in January this year by the council chamber, although the public prosecutor in Namur said he will appeal the decision. After the charges were cleared, Koekelberg said that he would like to return to the federal police: "I am 59 years old, and I still want to give the best of myself  before retiring in six years.”

According to Belgian interior minister Joëlle Milquet, “there is no reason to continue his suspension".

Koekelberg’s new job as strategic and judicial advisor entails “optimising the co-operation between the provinces and outlining the legal impact of the optimisation,” according to a press release.