LIÈGE — 1991 · Murder
The Assassination of André Cools
André Cools, a former deputy prime minister and one of the most powerful figures in Walloon socialist politics, was shot dead outside an apartment building in the Cointe district of Liège on the morning of 18 July 1991; the person with him survived her injuries. The investigation lasted years and exposed a bribery scandal involving the socialist parties and an Agusta helicopter contract. In 1998 the two men identified as the gunmen were tried and jailed in Tunisia. In January 2004 a Liège assize court convicted six men of organising the killing, two of whom received 20-year sentences. Cools became one of very few Belgian politicians ever assassinated.
- Date
- 1991
- Place
- Cointe, Belgium, Liège, BE
- Category
- Murder
- Case Status
- Solved
- Coordinates
- 50.6200, 5.5600 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 18 July 1991Cools was shot dead in Liège-Cointe.
- 1994-1995The inquiry led to the Agusta bribery scandal.
- 1998The gunmen were tried and jailed in Tunisia.
- January 2004Six men were convicted in Liège of organising the killing.
Sources
- The Irish Times — Six convicted over murder of Belgian politician irishtimes.com ↗
- The Brussels Times — On this day: 30 years ago, a political assassination in Liege brusselstimes.com ↗
- The Irish Times
- The Brussels Times
Source grade B: at least one verifiable linked source. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
Related Cases
More cases from the 1990s
Categories
🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.