He is accused of having committed attempted extortion, harassment and threats in the context of a conflict between him and a cattle dealer over the sale of land.
Gilbert Bodart (61 years old) was tried in absentia on appeal and was sentenced to 2 years in prison. It is this conviction, pronounced in 2023 for facts dating from 2020, which was carried out last March, when Gilbert Bodart was rescued after having voluntarily thrown himself into the Meuse in Huy during an alleged attempt to suicide.
Gilbert Bodart believes he was defrauded by a cattle dealer out of the sale of agricultural land. Formerly the owner of this land, Gilbert Bodart would have obtained a verbal agreement from the buyer, who would have promised him two apartments if the land was subsequently to be transformed into a building zone. This agreement, described as acquisition aid, having never been able to be confirmed in writing, Gilbert Bodart felt he had to recover his dues. He then sent threatening text messages to his buyer, promising him “that friends could go hunting”. He had also committed acts of harassment during what is described as an extortion attempt.
Gilbert Bodart said he saw red in the face of his buyer, who also employed his son “in black” and had not paid him. But he denies having carried out his threats.
The public prosecutor’s office highlighted the recidivism of Gilbert Bodart, sentenced in 2012 for acts of theft with violence, extortion, use of forgery and arbitrary detention to a suspended prison sentence of 42 months. The deputy requested a sentence of 2 years with suspended probation or an independent probation sentence.
The defense, Me Winkin and Me Hannot, pleaded for acquittal on the charges of harassment and attempted extortion. The lawyers requested a stand-alone probation sentence or probationary suspension.
The judgment will be pronounced on May 20.
