Bought for 32 million euros by the Belgian state – after deduction of penalties for late delivery – the Avrox masks had in part been distributed to the Belgian population through pharmacies. Then doubts about the possible presence of silver nanoparticles had arisen and the distribution had been stopped. In April, RTBF revealed that the rest of the stock, just under 7 million protections, was to be destroyed.
According to information from the newspaper Le Soir, luxury cars belonging to the company Avrox, whose initial corporate purpose is the rental of vehicles, were recently seized in Luxembourg, but Mr. Hericord claims not to be the owner.
If the Brussels public prosecutor’s office did not wish to comment, Laurent Kennes, Mr. Hericord’s lawyer, confirms the arrest warrant and specifies that his client “does not understand what is the need to detain him preventively when he was even still free during his entire interview with the police,” says Le Soir.
“The measures taken in this case are disproportionate”, continues Me Kennes. “My client repeats that the Belgian State was not defrauded of 32 million euros, the masks were delivered and the payments were made on the basis of these deliveries.” Finally, Mr. Hericord and his counsel firmly deny any money laundering offense
Mr. Hericord was heard again this week by the investigators and then by the investigating judge and was placed under an arrest warrant. The managing director of Avrox will have the possibility of requesting his release on Monday before the council chamber.