Belgium dispatched last March, following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, a contingent of nearly 300 soldiers – mainly from the 1/3 battalion of Lancers (1/3L), a unit of motorized infantry quartered in Marche-en-Famenne – to integrate into a French battalion, called to become a “tactical group” in Romania. The mission is due to end by mid-July.
Three members of the detachment were repatriated following a disciplinary incident, said Ms. Dedonder (PS) in response to questions from MPs Annick Ponthier (Vlaams Belang), Theo Francken (N-VA), Jasper Pillen (Open Vld ) and Guillaume Defossé (Eco-friendly).
The minister’s office subsequently formally denied the thesis of a knife fight mentioned in the House Defense Committee.
According to Ms. Dedonder, it sometimes happens that soldiers are repatriated during a mission abroad because of tensions “It is not unusual when people live close to each other 24 hours a day and seven days a week. “, said his office.
The three soldiers were sent back to Belgium according to the internal procedures in force and will benefit from an appropriate follow-up, the same source added.
