on Thursday 27 October attended a hearing before the Correctional Chamber of the Luxembourg City court. The Luxembourg MP is accused of fraud, for allegedly knowingly selling a flat that doesn’t meet Luxembourg real estate requirements, for over €1.6m. 

The basement--part of a family house split into several apartments--had been converted into a studio at Reding’s request, but without the necessary construction permit. Among other criteria, the studio flat did not have enough space in terms of height to meet the minimum conditions required. 

To avoid an official demand in 2016 to bring the studio back to its former state as a basement, the member of parliament sold the property. The real estate company in charge of the sale says it had not been informed of the issue. 

The buyer now wants a €10,000 compensation to cover legal fees, while prosecution at the hearing pushed for an 18-month suspended prison sentence and a €50,000 fine. Lydie Lorang, Reding’s lawyer, said this decision is politically motivated.

The ADR deputy’s fate will be known on 24 November, when the verdict will be delivered.