The trial in the Bommeleeër II case, concerning alleged false statements, did not conclude on Thursday as anticipated. The proceedings are now scheduled to wrap up on 1 December.
The delay occurred after the lawyers for civil parties Marc Scheer and Jos Wilmes delivered their closing arguments, prompting rebuttals from the defendants' legal counsel.
During their closing arguments, lawyers Thierry Hirsch and Max Lehnen detailed the statements they allege were false. They argued that these testimonies caused their clients to wait 12 years for the conclusion of the original Bommeleeër trial, which was suspended in 2014 with Scheer and Wilmes as the primary defendants.
Consequently, the lawyers are seeking €600,000 in damages for each client, plus €70,000 each for legal costs.
The defendants' lawyers countered that the contested statements, regardless of their accuracy, had no impact on Scheer and Wilmes' defence during the 2013–2014 trial. Hirsch disputed this, arguing that the false testimonies obscured "many elements" that would "in all likelihood" have brought the original trial to a close in 2014.
Lawyer Georges Pierret surprised the court by requesting a total of €60,000 in legal cost contributions for his client, Guy Stebens: €20,000 from the state, and €20,000 each from Wilmes and Scheer.
The state, meanwhile, has requested only a symbolic €1. Pierret argued that the state – specifically the public prosecutor's office – is responsible for the prolonged litigation. He noted that the prosecution interrupted the trial at the time, blocking proceedings rather than securing a verdict.
"And now [the state] is here, represented by Philippe Penning, to demand a symbolic euro – in order to pad the state budget?", Pierret asked, drawing laughter from the courtroom.
Max Lehnen expressed confusion over Pierret's demand, pointing out that such cost contributions are typically aimed at defendants. Lehnen argued that this trial was not initiated by Scheer and Wilmes; it was already ongoing when they joined as civil parties, and would have proceeded regardless of their involvement.
The three defendants present – Guy Stebens, Pierre Reuland, and Armand Schockweiler – waived their right to deliver a final statement on Thursday evening. A fourth defendant, 98-year-old Aloyse Harpes, was excused from attending in person due to his advanced age.
Observers hoping for new revelations during the concluding remarks were thus left disappointed, as the defendants maintained that everything had already been said.
The trial will resume on 1 December with the closing arguments of Philippe Penning and André Harpes.
