The former mayor of Sandweiler, LSAP member Charel Unsen, and a female defendant stood accused of an illegal acquisition of interest (Prise illégale d'intérêts). In 2010, Unsen purchased land sold by the woman at a preferential rate. He purchased the nine are plot for €16,500 per are, whereas the municipality paid the same woman €70,000 per are for a three-are plot. After the transaction, the woman was given a job as a cleaner for the municipality.
The former mayor, a lawyer by trade, is being accused of an illegal acquisition of interest, whereas the female defendant is accused of corruption.
The prosecutor exclaimed that it was unbelievable to claim that the former mayor was not consulted with the transaction. Unsen had led the negotiations and was fully aware of every transaction.
The defendant's lawyer, in return, claimed his client had acted "unwisely". His client had paid an exorbitant price for the land as mayor, but he had the right to and was not forbidden from speculating. As for the charge of illegal acquisition of interest, he claimed Unsen had worked in the interests of the municipality in reducing the price of the land. He called for an acquittal, as the trial concerned suspicions rather than facts.
The other defendant's lawyer claimed there was no evidence of corruption. Her client and the Unsen couple had agreed on the price of the land, and the transaction was in no way related to his role as mayor.
The verdict will be proclaimed on 8 May.
