The Public Prosecution Service (OM) has imposed a penal order on Fleurette Properties Ltd (hereinafter Fleurette) for foreign official bribery in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The company must pay a fine of 25.8 million euro’s.
Criminal investigation
In 2018, the Anti-Corruption Centre of the FIOD, led by the Public Prosecution Service, launched a criminal investigation into Fleurette and Glencore International AG, among others.
From 2010 to 2017, Fleurette acted as the top holding company of a group of companies active in mining, oil and gold extraction, and was based in the Netherlands because of the business and tax climate.
The investigation focused on foreign bribery in the DRC in order to obtain lucrative licenses for cobalt and copper mines.
International context
The Swiss Public Prosecutor's Office also conducted an investigation into bribery of public officials in the DRC. This resulted in a penal order against Glencore International AG on 5 August 2024. As a result, the Dutch Public Prosecution Service dismissed its case against Glencore.
Outcome for Fleurette
On 6 March 2026, the Dutch Public Prosecutor's Office imposed a penal order on Fleurette. By accepting this penal order, the Dutch Prosecutor’s Office has concluded that Fleurette, together with others, was guilty of foreign public official bribery in the DRC in the framework of the acquisition of mining licenses.