Appeal of the Flemish Community in case-EL Kaouakibi declared inadmissible: process can really start soon

Unless the Flemish Community still draws cassation appeal within 15 days, it looks like the EL Kaouakibi case can finally be treated by the court. El Kaouakibi, together with her partner and the VZW Let’s Go Urban, will have to answer for falsification and subsidy fraud in relation to the city of Antwerp and the Flemish Community. Her lawyer, Master Joris Vercraeye, suspects that the case can then be introduced at the end of this year and the actual pleas for the first half of 2026 would be.

The scandal around El Kaouakibi erupted in 2021. The politician is said to have used false invoices or false agreements to apply for subsidies for its Antwerp youth project Let’s Go Urban, but would have channeled the funds received to other companies – for other purposes.

After numerous procedures and extra investigations in October last year, the council chamber decided to refer El Kaouakibi, her partner and the now bankrupt vzw Let’s Go Urban to the correctional court. As a civil party, the city of Antwerp demands an amount of El Kaouakibi of 270,000 euros, the Flemish Community requires 320,000 euros.

However, the Flemish Community did not agree that El Kaouakibi was charged only forgotment and subsidy fraud, and appealed. That has now been declared inadmissible by the Ki. « Right, » says master Vercraeye. « The Flemish Community wanted to involve an indictment that does not interest it. »