Belgium i-Police Project Scandal
Belgium officially terminated its multi-million euro i-Police project in December 2025 due to a significant lack of progress and tangible results, with parliamentary hearings planned for July 2026. As of July 25, 2026: Federal Police Commissioner-General Eric Snoeck is scheduled to testify, and an investigation into potential financial misconduct is ongoing, with police seeking damages from Sopra Steria. The project, which aimed to create a unified information platform, cost taxpayers €75.8 million without delivering any fully functional components, and a judicial investigation includes raids at Federal Police Headquarters examining misuse of public funds and conflicts of interest.
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July 2026 — 2 developments
Belgian Police Chief to Testify on Scrapped i-Police Project Amid Mismanagement Probe
Parliamentary hearings are planned regarding the i-Police project debacle, with officials invited to testify. A Deloitte audit initiated in 2023 highlighted serious shortcomings, leading to the project's termination in December 2025 after costing taxpayers €75.8 million.
Belgian Police Chief to Testify on Scrapped i-Police Project Amid Mismanagement Probe
Federal Police Commissioner-General Eric Snoeck will testify before a parliamentary committee regarding the i-Police project, following its termination due to a lack of results. An investigation into potential financial misconduct is ongoing, with police seeking damages from Sopra Steria.
April 2026 — 1 developments
Justice Minister Verlinden defends handling of terminated i-Police project
Justice Minister Annelies Verlinden has defended her handling of the terminated i-Police project, addressing concerns about her past legal work for Sopra Steria. Opposition parties are also raising questions about senior police officers potentially suppressing reports on the project's failures, which saw €75.8 million spent without deliverables.
March 2026 — 5 developments
Sopra Steria denies wrongdoing in Belgium's i-Police project amid ongoing investigation
Sopra Steria has denied any wrongdoing in Belgium's i-Police project, asserting that all invoices were for delivered services and that project priorities shifted in early 2024. The company's statement comes as an investigation into potential misuse of public funds and conflicts of interest is ongoing.
Belgian Parliament Begins Hearings on Terminated i-Police IT Project
Parliamentary hearings have begun into Belgium's terminated i-Police IT project, with former ministers and police chiefs expected to testify. A judicial investigation has also been launched, including raids at Federal Police Headquarters, examining potential misuse of public funds and conflicts of interest. Former Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden faces scrutiny over her past legal work for Sopra Steria.
Belgian Police Seek €179 Million in Damages from Sopra Steria in i-Police Project Probe
Belgian police sought €179 million in damages and a repayment of €65 million in invoices from Sopra Steria in February 2026 as part of the i-Police project investigation. The Federal Police's Director-General reportedly had discreet meetings with Sopra Steria executives in late January 2026.
Belgium cancels multi-million euro i-Police project due to lack of progress
Belgium has officially terminated its multi-million euro i-Police project due to a significant lack of progress and tangible results. Interior Minister Bernard Quintin canceled the contract with French IT consultancy Sopra Steria in December 2025. The project aimed to create a unified information platform but was plagued by delays and unmet objectives, with an internal report indicating no components were fully delivered.
Belgian Police Sue Sopra Steria Over Failed i-Police Project; Sopra Steria Files Counter-Suit
Belgium's federal police have initiated legal action against Sopra Steria, while the software company is also filing a lawsuit to contest responsibility for the failed i-Police digitization project. The project, which involved a contract worth 299 million euros and saw 76 million euros invoiced, was terminated due to a lack of tangible results.
February 2026 — 4 developments
Federal Police Advised Sopra Steria Against Testifying on Failed i-Police Project
The federal police advised the French IT company Sopra Steria not to testify before a parliamentary committee regarding the failed i-Police project. This advice was given despite nearly 76 million euros already paid to the company for the project, which was terminated due to a lack of results. The director-general of the federal police reportedly had meetings with the CEO of Sopra Steria prior to this advice.
Brussels Prosecutor Searches Belgian Federal Police HQ in i-Police Embezzlement Probe
The Brussels Public Prosecutor's Office searched the headquarters of Belgium's federal police as part of an investigation into suspected embezzlement and conflicts of interest concerning the failed i-Police project. The digitalization project, awarded to Sopra Steria, was halted due to a lack of results despite nearly €76 million in invoices.
Belgian Federal Police Officials Refuse to Testify on i-Police Project
Senior officials from Belgium's Federal Police, including Commissioner-General Eric Snoeck, have refused to testify before a parliamentary hearing concerning the failed i-Police digitalization project. They were advised by a law firm against testifying, citing "statutory and ethical obligations of discretion" and "strict confidentiality requirements." This refusal has led to calls for a parliamentary inquiry commission that could compel witnesses to testify.
Belgian House Committee to Hold Hearings on Failed i-Police Project; Former Minister to Testify
The Belgian House committee for domestic affairs is organizing hearings concerning the failed i-Police project, which cost taxpayers nearly €76 million without delivering tangible results. Former Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden, who awarded the contract, is expected to testify. The Brussels Public Prosecutor has also launched an investigation into potential misuse of funds and conflicts of interest.
January 2026 — 1 developments
Belgian i-Police project costs soar, Sopra Steria contract terminated amid embezzlement probe
The i-Police digitalization project for Belgian law enforcement is estimated to cost taxpayers several hundred million euros, significantly exceeding the initial €75.8 million figure. The French company Sopra Steria was contracted in 2021 with a total budget of €299 million through 2027, but the collaboration was terminated in late December. Investigations into potential embezzlement and conflicts of interest are ongoing.
October 2025 — 1 developments
Belgian Government Issues Default Notice to Sopra Steria, Halts i-Police Project Activities
Sopra Steria Group was issued a formal notice of default by the Belgian government and instructed to suspend all activities related to the i-Police project.
January 2024 — 1 developments
Belgian newspapers expose Sopra Steria's mismanagement of funds and lack of results
Confidential reports from the federal police, later uncovered by Belgian newspapers, exposed significant mismanagement of funds and a lack of tangible results from Sopra Steria's work on the project.
January 2023 — 1 developments
Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden commissions Deloitte audit into i-Police project
Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden commissioned an audit from Deloitte into the i-Police project after concerns arose regarding its lack of progress and operational delivery.
January 2021 — 1 developments
Belgian Government Awards €299 Million i-Police Project Contract to Sopra Steria
The contract for the i-Police project, with a total budget of €299 million, was officially awarded to Sopra Steria by the Belgian government under Interior Minister Annelies Verlinden.
January 2019 — 1 developments
Annelies Verlinden worked as lawyer for Sopra Steria before becoming Interior Minister
Annelies Verlinden, who would later become the Federal Interior Minister, worked as a lawyer for the French IT firm Sopra Steria, a detail that would later become central to conflict of interest allegations.
January 2017 — 1 developments
Interior Minister Jan Jambon announced public tender for i-Police project
Then Interior Minister Jan Jambon announced the launch of a public tender for the ambitious i-Police project.
May 2016 — 1 developments
Michel I Government announces 'I-Police' project to modernize Belgian police IT systems
The Michel I Government officially announced the 'I-Police' project, aiming to modernize and integrate the IT systems of the Belgian police forces following the aftermath of a terrorist attack in Brussels.