Let us point out that these events occurred more than 20 years ago. For some, the right to be forgotten prevails in this situation and there is no need to return to this issue. For others, conversely, these facts deserve to be highlighted when it comes to taking a position of high political responsibility. In Molenbeek, several voices are being raised in this direction. They are the ones who contacted us.
Criminal records
In March 2001, the Brussels Court of Appeal convicted Yassine Akki of raping a minor. The victim had “+16 years completed” at the time of the facts. He was in his twenties. The Molenbeekois was then sentenced to a 4-year suspended prison sentence.
But that’s not all. On October 20, 1998, the criminal court sentenced him to 10 months in prison for theft, using break-in, climbing or false keys.
These facts are not new, but they have never hindered the career of the elected official. In the last municipal elections, the socialist had the fourth best score on his list while he was only in eighth place.
The PS was aware
These criminal records were known to the Socialist Party, but the latter did nothing publicly. We have proof that the PS was aware of this situation since at least October 2024. On October 11, two days before the municipal elections, an email of which we had a copy was sent to Ahmed Laaouej, Catherine Moureaux and other PS representatives. This email, which contained a copy of Yassine Akki’s criminal record, does not seem to have had an impact on the mayor’s choice to form her aldermanic team.
Contacted by us, Mr. Akki confirmed to us that he had been chosen to be alderman. He did not, however, wish to confirm the criminal records, deny them or comment on them. “You are a journalist. You do what you want. You investigate. You are free to write whatever you want. Know that many people seek to harm me. This is the fourth time I have been elected. My application was validated by the judge.”
