A Kayl municipal councillor's €2,000 demand after an alleged assault has drawn legal scrutiny, with experts calling the sum disproportionate while clarifying it does not constitute blackmail.

A retirement party at a Kayl municipal building on 30 April turned contentious when Councillor Amilcar Caetano of the Alternative Democratic Reform Party (ADR) reported being verbally and physically assaulted by a municipal worker. The altercation escalated after Caetano sent a letter demanding €2,000 from the municipal worker in exchange for not filing a police complaint – a demand the municipality subsequently forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs.

According to Caetano's account, the worker insulted him ("I've been told you're a moron, but now I know you're a giant moron") before striking his forehead with an open palm. Kayl Mayor Jean Weiler confirmed the municipal executive board ("Schäfferot") objected to the payment demand and referred the matter to authorities.

The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that it advised Kayl officials to conduct an internal review and potentially file a police report if criminal conduct is found – though the municipality claims ministry officials explicitly dismissed the incident as non-criminal.

Legal expert Jean-Jacques Schonckert told our colleagues from RTL Radio that Caetano's financial demand does not constitute blackmail under Luxembourg law, noting out-of-court damage settlements are standard practice.

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On the other hand, Schonckert cast doubt on the €2,000 sum, suggesting a court would likely award no more than €500 for such an incident. The burden of proof regarding damages also rests entirely with the councillor, Schonckert told our colleagues.

The legal expert dismissed suggestions that Caetano's position as a councillor created an employer-like power dynamic in this case, noting authorities only consider such relationships when abuse is suspected.

Despite a 15-day payment ultimatum set by Caetano, RTL has learned no money changed hands – nor has any police complaint been filed.

The municipal worker provided his account to officials, who concluded he had merely "expressed his opinion in vulgar terms." Kayl authorities consider the matter closed.

Interview requests to Caetano, which our colleagues had to route through ADR southern district president Christian Fassbinder, went unanswered.