Hans Rieder is a Belgian lawyer who has made headlines for his involvement in some of the most controversial and high-profile cases in the country. He is known for his outspoken and unconventional style, as well as his fierce defense of his clients’ rights. He has represented politicians, celebrities, sportsmen, whistleblowers, and even terrorists in court, often challenging the authorities and the media with his arguments and revelations.
Hans Rieder Wiki/Bio
| Name | Hans Rieder |
|---|---|
| Birth date | 1958 |
| Birthplace | Ghent, Belgium |
| Nationality | Belgian |
| Ethnicity | Flemish |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Education | University of Ghent, College of Europe |
| Children | Two |
| Notable cases | Dutroux affair, Fortis affair, FIFA affair, Abdeslam affair |
| Interests | Books, music, sports, human rights |
| Links | Twitter- 3hansrieder Homepage- Newsunzip |
Birthday and Education
Hans Rieder was born in Ghent, Belgium in 1958 (age: 65 years, as of 2023). He grew up in a middle-class family, with his father working as a civil servant and his mother as a teacher. He attended the Sint-Barbaracollege, a prestigious Jesuit school, where he developed an interest in law and politics. He was also active in sports, especially football and tennis.
Rieder studied law at the University of Ghent, graduating in 1981. He then pursued a master’s degree in criminology at the same university, completing it in 1983. He also obtained a diploma in European law from the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium, in 1984. He was fluent in Dutch, French, English, and German.
Career and Achievements
Rieder started his career as a lawyer in 1984, joining the Ghent Bar Association. He soon gained a reputation for his bold and unconventional approach to defending his clients, often challenging the established norms and procedures of the judicial system. He also specialized in sports law, representing several prominent athletes and clubs in various disputes and arbitrations.
Some of the most notable cases that Rieder handled include:
- The Dutroux affair: Hans Rieder represented Michel Nihoul, a businessman and associate of Marc Dutroux, the notorious serial killer and pedophile who abducted, tortured, and murdered several young girls in Belgium in the 1990s. Nihoul was accused of being an accomplice and organizer of the crimes, as well as being part of a wider network of child abuse and trafficking. He managed to get Nihoul acquitted of the most serious charges, arguing that there was no evidence of his involvement in the kidnappings and murders. Nihoul was only convicted of drug trafficking and fraud, and sentenced to five years in prison, of which he served three.
- The Fortis affair: Hans represented Jean-Paul Votron, the former CEO of Fortis, a Belgian-Dutch financial group that collapsed during the global financial crisis of 2008. Votron was accused of misleading investors and regulators about the financial situation of the company, as well as receiving excessive bonuses and severance payments. Rieder argued that Votron was a scapegoat and a victim of a political conspiracy, and that he acted in good faith and in the best interest of the company. Votron was eventually cleared of all charges, after a long and complex legal battle that involved several courts and jurisdictions.
- The FIFA affair: He represented Michel D’Hooghe, a Belgian doctor and former member of the FIFA executive committee, the governing body of world football. D’Hooghe was investigated by the FIFA ethics committee for allegedly receiving a painting from a Russian official as a gift, in exchange for his vote for the 2018 World Cup hosting rights. He denied any wrongdoing by his client, and claimed that the painting was a personal and symbolic gesture, not a bribe. He also criticized the FIFA ethics committee for being biased and lacking transparency. D’Hooghe was eventually cleared of any breach of ethics, and received an apology from FIFA.
- The Abdeslam affair: Hans Rieder represented Salah Abdeslam, the sole surviving suspect in the 2015 Paris attacks, which killed 130 people and injured hundreds more. Abdeslam was captured in Brussels in 2016, after four months on the run. He was extradited to France, where he faced trial for his role in the attacks, as well as for his involvement in a shootout with the police in Belgium. He agreed to take on the case, despite the public outrage and criticism that it generated. He said that he wanted to defend Abdeslam’s rights as a human being and to ensure that he received a fair trial. He also said that he wanted to understand the motives and background of his client and to help prevent further radicalization and violence.
Height, Weight
- Height: 1.80 m or 5’11″)
- Weight: 75 kg or 165 lbs)
- Eye color: Blue
Marriage, Wife, and Controversies
Hans Rieder is married to Mrs. Rieder, a professor of law and the rector of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), a French-speaking university in Brussels. They have two children, a son and a daughter. He lives in Ghent but also has a residence in Brussels. He is a fan of KAA Gent, a football club from his hometown.
Rieder is known for his outspoken and controversial opinions, which often clash with the mainstream views and values of Belgian society. He has been criticized for his defense of unpopular and notorious clients, as well as for his attacks on the authorities and the media. He has also been accused of being arrogant, provocative, and disrespectful of the victims and their families. He has faced several disciplinary actions and lawsuits for his conduct and statements, but he has always maintained his integrity and independence as a lawyer. He has also received threats and insults from the public and has been under police protection at times.
He has also been involved in some personal scandals, such as:
- In 2009, he was arrested for drunk driving, after he crashed his car into a traffic sign. He admitted his mistake and apologized, but he also claimed that he was not drunk, but only tired and stressed. He was fined and had his license suspended for six months.
- In 2014, he was accused of having an affair with a female judge, who was presiding over a case that he was involved. He denied the allegations and said that they were part of a smear campaign against him. He also said that he had a good relationship with his wife and that they had an open marriage. He sued the magazine that published the story and won the case.
- In 2017, Hans Rieder was accused of sexually harassing a female colleague, who worked as a lawyer in his office. He denied the allegations and said that they were part of a plot to discredit him. He also said that he had a professional and friendly relationship with the colleague and that he respected her as a lawyer. He filed a complaint against the colleague, and the case was dismissed.
Net Worth
Hans Rieder is a lawyer who has made a name for himself in the Belgian and international legal scene, for his involvement in some of the most controversial and high-profile cases in the country. He is known for his outspoken and unconventional style, as well as his fierce defense of his clients’ rights. He has also been criticized for his defense of unpopular and notorious clients, as well as for his attacks on the authorities and the media.
