Fraud trial against former politician Sihame El Kaouakibi begins in Antwerp
The trial against former politician and entrepreneur Sihame El Kaouakibi and her partner began Thursday before the Antwerp correctional court on charges of forgery and subsidy fraud.
Former politician and entrepreneur Sihame El Kaouakibi and her partner appeared for the start of their trial at the Antwerp correctional court on Thursday morning. Both defendants face charges of forgery and subsidy fraud in a judicial proceeding stemming from a case that first surfaced in early 2021.
El Kaouakibi arrived at the court around 9:00 accompanied by her defence lawyer, Joris Vercraeye, amid substantial press presence outside the building. Neither El Kaouakibi nor her lawyer provided statements to reporters prior to entering the courtroom.
The appearance represents one of El Kaouakibi's rare public outings since the allegations first emerged over five and a half years ago. During earlier procedural sessions, she had opted not to attend in person, choosing instead to be represented exclusively by her legal counsel.
