Videos leaked from the event, which took place in May, show around twenty members of the he 3rd Parachute Battalion, an elite defence unit, clearly not respecting the health measures in place at the time.
Local media, including Het Laatste Nieuws and the Flemish TV channel VTM, reported that a stripper was present at the party. Footage shows a soldier tied to a chair, being whipped by the performer, who was reportedly smuggled into the barracks. Videos also depict a serviceman posing naked in a group photo.
At the time of the party, such gatherings were still strictly prohibited by law due to Covid restrictions. The images and footage circulated show that attendees were failing to respect social distancing, and did not wear face coverings.
The Ministry of Defence said in a statement they were taking the incident very seriously and had opened an investigation to discern how the stripper was able to gain access to the barracks, which are usually extremely secure. Defence minister Ludivine Dedonder said such incidents had no place in defence, and harmed the public image for the army who has otherwise worked hard to support the nation during its recent crises.
The investigation will focus on three violations: the security of the barracks themselves; the violation of Covid restrictions, such as social distancing; and the consumption of alcohol in the workplace. It is thought the inquiry will lead to disciplinary and potentially legal sanctions.
