One year jail for passenger who presented fake PCR test

The guilty man showed up at the airport on Tuesday with a document certifying a negative PCR test. However, after verification, it turned out that it was a fake, the fraudster quickly admitted that it was a document given to a friend of his, who had passed the test.

LeeThe Brussels Criminal Court on Tuesday sentenced a man to one year in prison against a man who tried to fly into Brussels airport with a fake PCR test. This is the first such punishment since the Council of Attorney General announced on April 27 that strict measures would be taken against these crimes. Between 19 April and 11 June, 576 people were arrested at Brussels airport with false PCR tests.

From 19 April, it is again possible for Belgians to travel abroad. On return, however, the passenger must complete a Passenger Location Form (PLF). To fight against abuse, the College of Attorney General has published guidelines on prosecuting those who falsify these forms or certificates related to COVID screening tests. These stipulate that those who present or use false documents should immediately be called to appear in criminal court, but the prosecution services may first choose to propose an amicable settlement in the amount of €750.

The guilty man showed up at the airport on Tuesday with a document certifying a negative PCR test. However, after verification, it turned out that it was a fake, the fraudster quickly admitted that it was a document given to a friend of his, who had passed the test. As the man refused amicable settlement, the prosecutor’s office summoned him to correctional court.

The defendant did not even appear in the court. So he was strict in his decision. “The world has been in the grip of a pandemic since the beginning of 2020 and it is still not under control. Therefore the defendant’s conduct is not only anti-social, but also potentially life-threatening. In this case only severe punishment is appropriate. “