The Head of Investigations

Michel De Smedt started at the International Criminal Court in The Hague in 2004 initially as head of the Analysis Section but his responsibilities were soon expanded to also cover planning and operations related to the investigations.

Since 16 January, 2006 he has been heading the Investigation Division.

Before joining the Court, Michel De Smedt worked at the Belgian Gendarmerie from 1986 as a commissioned officer, first as a platoon commander, then at the Headquarters in the Directorate General of operations, and subsequently as head of strategic planning and audit. Between 1994 - 2000 he combined these duties with those of Project Manager for the collaboration agreement in the field of policing between South Africa and Belgium, supporting the transformation of the South Africa Police after the apartheid period by working around 4 key areas: serious and organized crime, community policing, public order policing and police management.

In 2000, Michel became partner in a management consultancy firm for public administrations and advised different organizations (e.g. law enforcement agencies, Public Administration Reform for the Democratic Republic of Congo, Belgian National Defense Department, National Prosecutor's office of Belgium, Committee attached to the Parliament supervising the Belgian Police Services, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Home Affairs).

Michel De Smedt holds a Masters Degrees in Criminology and one in Business Administration. He also has succeeded in the officer’s training at Belgian Royal Military Academy and at the Royal Gendarmerie Academy, and the Senior Officer’s course at the Royal Gendarmerie.