Former Dinant mayor Bodlet before examining magistrate on harassment and defamation charges
Thierry Bodlet, former mayor of Dinant, appears this Wednesday before the examining magistrate on charges of harassment and defamation. The prosecution seeks his committal to the criminal court.
Bodlet before the judges: Dinant's political conflict takes a judicial turn
Thierry Bodlet, former mayor of Dinant and now an opposition councillor, appears this Wednesday before the examining magistrate. DHnet reports that this hearing follows a complaint with civil party constitution filed in 2023 by Robert Closset, who was then his first alderman — and who has since left political life.
The investigation opened following this complaint resulted in the indictment of the former mayor for harassment and defamation against Closset, as well as for insults directed at a member of the Closset group, one of the branches of the majority under the previous term.
The prosecution seeks committal; the decision rests with the court
In its requisition dated 30 January, the prosecution requests that Thierry Bodlet be committed to the criminal court for harassment, defamation and insults. On one specific point, however, the public ministry seeks a dismissal: the breach of professional secrecy, and this for both Bodlet and the woman who was his secretary during the previous term.
The examining magistrate is not bound to follow the prosecution's requisition, which constitutes merely an opinion. In the event of committal, the decision may still be subject to appeal before the appellate court.
November 2023: the municipal council session that changed everything
The breaking point dates back to 6 November 2023, during a stormy municipal council meeting. The vote on a new parking plan had failed after the "Closset" branch of the majority had left the chamber, taking the opposition with it.
The following day, 7 November 2023, Mayor Bodlet published a press release in which he criticised his alderman, accusing him of staging a stunt to capitalise on "an alleged malaise within the college". Bodlet also asserted that Closset was struggling "to distinguish his private interests from the public interest".
The press release went further still, formulating three distinct criticisms. Bodlet accused Closset of having attempted to influence an urban planning file concerning one of his commercial competitors, a repair shop: "The municipal college is not there to allow an alderman to harm his competitor." A second salvo targeted Closset's acquisition of a building on Froidvau: "The municipal college is not there to arrange things in order to validate a dubious property transaction." A third grievance, finally: "The municipal college is not there to wipe the slate clean for those who owe money to the City" — in reference to a councillor from the Closset list, cited by name.
Defamation or truth? The central issue of the case
Whilst debates in municipal council often evaporate in an instant, the words in a press release endure. It is precisely on these written statements that the charge of defamation rests. For this to be upheld, it will be necessary to demonstrate that the allegations made by Bodlet were false.
Contacted by DHnet, Thierry Bodlet indicated that the confusion of interests reproached to Closset had not been revealed by him, as press articles had previously covered it. He declined to elaborate further, leaving his lawyer, Me Vincent Lamal, to conduct his defence, whilst confiding that he was "weary of certain vicissitudes of political life". Robert Closset is for his part represented by Me Thibault Maudoux.
A turbulent legacy of the 2018-2024 term
This matter has its roots in a Dinant municipal term described as particularly tumultuous. The examining magistrate will render its decision on whether to commit the former mayor to the criminal court — a step which could still be followed by an appeal, whatever the outcome.
Source: DHnet