Flemish Minister of Economy Hilde Crevits has decided to suspend the repayment of the advances to the Pukkelpop music festival pending the results of the judicial investigation into possible irregularities.
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‘The assessment of the file will be postponed until there is clarity about that judicial investigation. We want to avoid possible interference.’ The minister announced this in the Economy committee of the Flemish Parliament on Thursday.
Earlier today it was announced that the Limburg public prosecutor’s office opened an investigation to the companies behind Pukkelpop and organizer Chokri Mahassine, after an article from the satirical website ‘t Scheldt involving embezzlement and conflict of interest. That was enough for the public prosecutor to open an investigation, although public prosecutor Pieter Strauven emphasizes at VTM News that ‘the presumption of innocence is currently in play’.
The music festival in Kiewit was canceled this summer, after the organizers requested a 1.8 million euro advance from the Flemish government. That file had also been approved, but the amount had not yet been paid. At the end of August it was judged that Pukkelpop could claim a refund because the cancellation was indeed the result of the tightened corona measures.
The Flemish Agency for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (Vlaio) was still busy with the further assessment of the file, among other things to check exactly what amount would be repaid. Vlaio expects a complete file by mid-October and is also planning an on-site inspection at the end of October.
Flemish Member of Parliament Maurits Vande Reyde (Open VLD), who is monitoring the Pukkelpop dossier, is satisfied with the minister’s decision. He continues to insist on the need for ‘one hundred percent transparency’ in the file.
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