Brussels, Belgium — Belgian federal judicial police have now returned the laptop, research files, and manuscripts of UK journalist David Price after more than seven months in police custody, renewing concerns over press freedom in Brussels and across the European Union.
David Heilbron Price, 82, editor of eurDemocracy and Schuman.info, said police raided his Brussels home and office on June 24, 2025, while he was away. Authorities seized his laptop, backup drives, documents, and personal papers without leaving a warrant or written notice.
“Without my tools and sources of information, I am censored,” Price said, a former editor at the BBC World Service.
The author of this article has reached out to Belgian federal police for further information.
Legal Uncertainty Over Journalist Searches
Initially believing he had been burgled, Price filed a report with local Etterbeek police. He later learned that the searches had been carried out under the authority of investigating judge Laurence Heusghem.
Price says he has repeatedly requested access to the legal basis for the searches, including the warrants, procès-verbaux, and the case file, which he argues are required under Belgian law governing judicial searches involving journalists.
Although one of his computers was returned in October, Price says key files remain withheld, including two unpublished book manuscripts — one on EU founding figure Robert Schuman and another on astrophysics.
Price also claims his bank account was frozen for a month without explanation, with both the bank and the judge’s office denying responsibility.
The case has been referred to Belgium’s Police Supervisory Committee (Comité P). Price has also filed a complaint with the European Ombudsman over what he describes as opaque and arbitrary treatment by EU press accreditation authorities.
“If armed, non-uniformed men can enter a journalist’s home without documentation or accountability, what protections remain for the press?” Price asked.
Belgian judicial authorities have not publicly commented.
Previous Seizures of Journalists’ Equipment
Price’s case follows earlier incidents involving the seizure of journalists’ devices in Europe.
Background: Earlier Journalist Equipment Seizures
Hans-Martin Tillack (Belgium, 2004)
Belgian police raided the home and office of German journalist Hans-Martin Tillack after he reported on alleged corruption inside EU institutions. Acting on a request from OLAF, authorities seized computers, phones, notebooks, and files. In 2007, the European Court of Human Rights ruled the operation violated press freedom and ordered Belgium to pay €40,000 in damages and costs.
Martin Banks (UK, 2022)
Brussels-based journalist and Foreign Correspondents’ Association member Martin Banks was detained for six hours by UK border officials under counter-terrorism legislation. Authorities confiscated his laptop and two mobile phones, gaining access to confidential journalistic material.
Media law experts say the Price case reinforces longstanding concerns about the protection of journalistic sources and digital equipment in Brussels, home to the European Union’s main institutions.
Where to File Complaints
Journalists in Belgium can seek redress through several oversight bodies. Comité P investigates police misconduct and failures in procedure. If your digital privacy or device searches have violated data‑protection rules, complaints can be filed with the Belgian Data Protection Authority. When EU institutions or accreditation procedures are involved, the European Ombudsman handles maladministration cases.
For press‑freedom support, organisations such as the International Press Institute (IPI), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ), and the Foreign Correspondents’ Association (API‑IPA) may assist or echo journalists’ complaints.
