RTL Today - Luxembourgish lawyer and author: The iconic Gaston Vogel has passed away at age 87

An announcement just confirmed by RTL: Gaston Vogel passed away this Saturday at CHL.

The Luxembourgish lawyer and author, especially known for his bold and outspoken public statements, died this Saturday at the age of 87.

Process, travels, and writing

During his lengthy career as a lawyer, Gaston Vogel was involved in resolving numerous high-profile cases, including the "Bommeleeër" trial, in which he defended one of the accused police officers. However, according to Vogel, "the wrong people were on trial."

Vogel was also an author, having published over 20 books on subjects including law, history, and philosophy. He also enjoyed sharing photos of his extensive travels to introduce his readers to other cultures.

Asia particularly fascinated him; for instance, he traveled to India over 30 times. His passion for the continent began just after high school in the 1960s, as he actively opposed the Vietnam War and participated in organizing protests.

A voice that made waves

Gaston Vogel consistently maintained a critical lens on politics and was frequently involved in various issues. In 2005, he was one of the opponents of the European Constitution during the referendum, notably engaging in a heated debate with past Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn on the matter.

In addition to his involvement in justice and politics, his critiques often targeted the Catholic Church and the monarchy. He viewed the Grand Duke’s refusal to sign the euthanasia law in 2008 as a "no-go," and described the 2012 royal wedding as a "non-event" – an occurrence without significance. This term even became Luxembourg’s "word of the year" that year.

The following year, with the start of the Bommeleeër trial, Gaston Vogel was named "Luxembourger of the Year." His popularity stemmed from his role in this legal case and his outspoken nature.

He had been a member of the Barreau de Luxembourg since 1962, making him one of the country’s most experienced and respected lawyers. He always said he would continue until the end, as retirement was not an option for him.