The East Flemish public prosecutor’s office is conducting an investigation into a former board member of the youth department of Vlaams Belang in Sint-Lievens-Houtem. The man is known in the village for his striking appearance, reminiscent of Hitler.
Federal police investigators raided the home where B. lives with his mother in Sint-Lievens-Houtem on Monday morning.
The man made it to the regional newspaper two years ago because Vlaams Belang started a new political operation after ten years in the East Flemish village. A section for adults, and one for young people. B. was then appointed as the new chairman of the youth department.
In the village, B. was also often called ‘little Hitler’ because of his striking clothing and appearance, which are reminiscent of Adolf Hitler.
The East Flemish public prosecutor’s office confirmed on Monday that an investigation into the man is underway. He was not arrested, but investigators did search his house. The public prosecutor’s office does not want to provide any information about the reason for the raid.
They never noticed anything suspicious at the local Vlaams Belang department. B. had already decided to step aside.
Pieter De Spiegeleer, federal representative for Vlaams Belang, lives in the same village. But he doesn’t know B. personally, he says. “I only just moved there and I have never been on the board with him. I only met him at a potluck. That photo of him now is a bit stereotypical. He’s not always dressed like this. But then again, I only know him by sight. I never worked with him.”