Belgian Court Convicts 119 People in Sky ECC Case

In a historic decision, the Brussels Court of First Instance concluded the landmark “Encro” case, which targeted a vast criminal network involving drug trafficking, arms smuggling, extortion and more.

During the trial, which started in December 2023, a series of charges were brought against 128 defendants, including participation in a criminal organization, kidnapping and extortion. While 9 of the defendants were acquitted, 119 were sentenced to imprisonment from 14 months to 17 years.

The number of defendants indicates that the case is one of Belgium’s most comprehensive criminal trials ever.

The court’s press release stated that “the organization of one of the largest criminal cases in the country’s history poses a significant challenge for the court” and that the decision was almost 1,500 pages long.

The investigation was initiated by decrypting messages on the Internet. EncroChat And Sky ECC platforms—two encrypted communication systems widely used by organized crime groups across Europe.

French and Dutch police first broke EncroChat in 2020. do not reveal Widespread criminal activity including cocaine importation from South America and marijuana smuggling from Morocco.

Belgian authorities expanded the case further in 2021 after accessing Sky ECC data; This data revealed evidence of extensive pharmaceutical laboratories, large cash holdings and corruption reaching Belgium’s legal and logistics sectors.

The court heard more than 16 months of testimony from the defendants, including high-profile organized crime figures and even a Brussels police inspector accused of leaking classified information.

The evidence presented ranged from encrypted messages coordinating drug shipments to bank records revealing money laundering activities linked to Antwerp, a major entry point for illicit drugs in Europe.

It is reported that the court’s decision is subject to appeal.