Semlex Faces Belgian Court Over Congo Passport Corruption

A Belgian court has ordered 14 defendants to stand trial over alleged foreign public official bribery, money laundering, and tax fraud related to the Democratic Republic of Congo's biometric passport contract. The case, targeting the Belgian company Semlex, marks the first time a firm will face Belgian criminal justice for alleged international corruption, according to a coalition of civil parties including FIDH and Transparency International.

Semlex produced biometric passports for the DRC between 2015 and 2025. The Brussels Council Chamber's decision, issued on August 31, 2026, sends the case to the correctional tribunal for a full examination of the facts. The civil parties praised the investigation, which has tracked bank flows and analyzed communications for nearly nine years.

The Alleged $60 Million Diversion Scheme

Those charged are accused of orchestrating a large-scale corruption system around the passport contract. According to documents published in the press, for each passport sold for $185, a portion-$60-was allegedly diverted to LRPS Ltd., a Dubai-based company believed to be linked to an associate of former DRC President Joseph Kabila. This mechanism is alleged to have generated nearly $60 million in misappropriated funds.

Fred Bauma, a Congolese citizen who joined the case as a civil party, stated the matter primarily concerns Congolese citizens. "We paid $185 for our passports, before learning from the press that part of that money would have been used to bribe members of the political elite. We have the right to know what happened to our money. This trial will finally shed light on the matter," Bauma said.

A Landmark for Belgian Justice and International Accountability

The referral is seen as a major test for Belgium's justice system. Despite commitments under the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention and the UN Convention against Corruption, Belgium has faced criticism for the ineffectiveness of its enforcement against foreign bribery. This trial will test its capacity to fulfill those commitments.

"For too long, Belgium has not lived up to its commitments in the fight against international corruption." explained Transparency International Belgium.

Jean-Claude Katende, Vice-President of FIDH, highlighted the hope for broader accountability. "It is to be hoped that this case will also bring to light the responsibilities at the Congolese level, which could lead to a complementary judicial process in the DRC, so that all persons answer for their actions before the competent courts," Katende noted.

The signing organizations emphasized that the accused persons enjoy the presumption of innocence. They hope the trial will establish responsibilities and send a clear message that Belgian companies must answer for their actions, even when alleged acts of corruption are committed overseas. The civil case was initiated in May 2020 by 51 Congolese nationals with support from the 'Congo Is Not For Sale' coalition.