Police Raid Antwerp Diamond Offices

A large police force descended on Antwerp’s diamond district yesterday (Wednesday), in yet another raid on offices of diamond dealers in the city. According to reports, this raid is connected to the ongoing Monstrey investigation.

Since Belgian law enforcement authorities closed the offices of shipping firm Monstrey Worldwide Services in Antwerp in October 2005, it has conducted a series of raids on diamond dealers’ offices in the city. The last such raid was in December, during which Nikhil Manilal died.

Police shut the offices of several diamond firms yesterday. They asked to see records relating to the years during which the companies used Monstrey’s services. Managers of these offices were questioned.

The offices are expected to be closed until the end of the week.

During the December raids, police arrived at Nikhil Manilal house. According to witnesses, Manilal, managing director of Beltaj NV, suffered a heart attack while reading the warrant, and collapsed. Police allegedly prevented his wife or any other family member to approach him, and did not call for an ambulance until it was apparent that the 46-year-old diamantaire had passed away, some ten to 15 minutes later.

Witnesses said police called on a judge to consult with him before calling for help. Afterwards they continued their search of the house.

The case caused an outrage in the diamond community and business was shut in protest.