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Topic: Alfred Lefevre

In de lente van 1979 worden er naar het minister van Buitenlandse Zaken in de Verenigde Staten een aantal telegrammen gestuurd over de arrestatie van een Belgische huurling in de Seychellen, een zekere Alfred Lefevre. De arrestatie werd bekend gemaakt tijdens het avondnieuws op Radio Seychelles van 10 april. Hij werd gearresteerd op verdenking van betrokkenheid bij een staatsgreep.

Hij was één van Bob Denard’s luitenants tijdens de invasie op de Comoren in 1978.

Lefevre ontvluchtte België in 1977 om te ontsnappen aan de belastingen. Vanaf toen is hij een huurling geworden. Daarvoor zou hij zich nooit ingelaten hebben met huurlingen. In Las Palmas werd hij aangesproken om mee te doen met de invasie van de Comoren. Hij deed mee, op voorwaarde dat hij in de Comoren mocht blijven wonen als de invasie succesvol was.

Na de invasie bleef hij in de Comoren, bekeerde zich tot de Islam en trouwde er met een vrouw, ondanks het feit dat hij in België al getrouwd was.

Tegen het einde van 1978 keerde hij onopgemerkt terug naar België om familie te bezoeken. Toen hij in Brussel was, werd hij door huurlingen gecontacteerd in het café “Katanga”. Hij kreeg van een zekere Roger Drion het voorstel om mee te doen met de invasie van de Seychellen.

Belg aangehouden op Seychellen

Op de Seychellen is op 7 april een Belg aangehouden en van spionage beschuldigd. Volgens een mededeling van de informatiedienst van de Seychellen, die dinsdag Parijs bereikte, gaat het om een zekere Alfred Lefèvre.

“Het staat vast”, aldus het communiqué, “dat Alfred Lefèvre in 1977 als huurling aan de zijde van Bob Denard heeft deelgenomen aan de mislukte staatsgreep tegen de president van Benin, Kerekou. Hij heeft ook deelgenomen aan de staatsgreep die in 1978 leidde tot omverwerping van de regering-Ali Soilih en de moord op het staatshoofd”.

Volgens de mededeling is Lefèvre op 1 april op de Seychellen aangekomen via de Comoren en La Réunion, en bestaan er bewijzen “dat hij de plaatselijke situatie bestudeerde met het oog op een invasie van huurlingen, georganiseerd door oud-president James Mancham” (in juni 1977 bij een staatsgreep omvergeworpen).

Op het ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken te Brussel wordt medegedeeld dat in verband hiermee tot dusver nog geen enkel bericht is ontvangen.

Bron: Gazet Van Antwerpen | 11 April 1979

TELEGRAMMEN

Er werden zes telegrammen gestuurd. Deze zijn terug te vinden via de website van Wikileaks.

(U) ALLEGED BELGIAN MERCENARY ARRESTED

  • Datum: 11 Apr 1979

  • Van: Victoria, Seychelles

  • Naar: Department of State

(C) BELGIAN MERCENARY REMAINS INCARCERATED

  • Datum: 17 Apr 1979

  • Van: Victoria, Seychelles

  • Naar: Department of State

ALFRED LEFEVRE'S STORY

  • Datum: 19 Apr 1979

  • Van: Naar: Victoria, Seychelles

  • Department of State | Madagascar

(C) GOS REPORTEDLY LOOKING FOR A WAY OUT ON LEFEVRE CASE

  • Datum: 02 May 1979

  • Van: Victoria, Seychelles

  • Naar: Department of State | Madagascar

(U) CASE OF DETAINED BELGIAN MERCENARY LEFEVRE DRAGS ON

  • Datum: 23 May 1979

  • Van: Victoria, Seychelles

  • Naar: Belgium | Department of State

LEFEVRE NOW OFFICIALLY HELD UNDER POLICE SECURITY (DETENTION) REGULATIONS

  • Datum: 12 Jun 1979

  • Van: Victoria, Seychelles

  • Naar: Department of State | Kenya

Telegram 1 - 11 april 1979

Alleged Belgian mercenary arrested

Radio Seychelles has carried on each news broadcast since evening april 10 announcement of arrest of Belgian citizen, Alfred Lefevre, who is alleged to be professional mercenary. According to news broadcasts, Lefevre arrived in Victoria april 01 and has been under police surveillance since that date. He reportedly participated with Bob Denard in abortive Benin caper in 1977, and was one of Denard's lieutenants in 1978 invasion of Comoros. Broadcasts have asserted that Lefevre sent by ex-president Mancham to make final preparations for impending mercenary invasion of Seychelles.

They further state that operation financed by Mancham's "rich friend", generally understood here to be reference to Saudi Arabian financier Adnan Khashoggi. Each broadcast has concluded with appeal to populace to remain vigilant but calm.

Comment: this is first time (this year) gos has admitted to public that it concerned about possibility of imminent mercenary attack. As noted ref b, previous public position has been that security forces engaged only in joint night exercises. It is also first time former president Mancham has been linked publicly by name with mercenary machinations. While situation in Victoria remains completely calm, announcement of Lefevre's arrest has again heightened concern that gos will move to arrest alleged Mancham collaborators.

Telegram 2 - 17 april 1979

Belgian mercenary remains incarcerated

Belgian mercenary Alfred Lefevre remains incarcerated at Victoria central police station. Although daily and weekly newspapers have published two old photographs of Lefevre dressed in combat uniform, carrying machine gun, and looking ferocious, and have repeated allegation that he came to Seychelles to make final preparations for mercenary invasion, no evidence has yet been released substantiating this allegation.

Police commissioner Pillay told charge april 17 that attorney general warren had given strict order to gos personnel not to discuss evidence before charges are formally filed. In conversation april 13, attorney general asserted to charge that adequate evidence is available to convict Lefevre. He did not indicate, though, what evidence was or what specific crime Lefevre allegedly committed.

All embassy knows with reasonable certainty is that when Lefevre's baggage was searched, uniform of Seychelles army officer was found along with photographs of him in "battle dress”. According to minister of transport Loizeau, uniform was to be worn by a mercenary during actual invasion in order to confuse local soldiers.

Police commissioner said that gos was aware Lefevre received order to come to Seychelles from Roger Drion, a Belgian local employee of British airways in Brussels. Drion, he addes, was a known mercenary. He further indicated that gos knew about Lefevre's mission well before it took place. Honorary Belgian consul here informed charge that Lefevre was probably trapped through machinations of a Belgian ex-mercenary, Robert Noddyn, who currently lives in Seychelles.

According Belgian consul, Noddyn runs a local restaurant, but doubles as "special security advisor" to president Rene at salary of rs 11,000/month plus house. (This arrangement is reportedly closely guarded secret.) Belgian consul stated that Lefevre unsuspectingly stayed at Noddyn's house from day of his arrival in Seychelles and made Noddyn privy to his activities and plans. Noddyn reportedly passed everything to gos.

Many Seychellois and expatriate observers, though, detect element of unreality about entire episode, and are not convinced Lefevre came here in connection with invasion plot. These individuals point out that he entered country on passport in his own name, which he would not have done had he been here on nefarious mercenary business. Some skeptics tend to believe Rene fabricated and is whipping up mercenary scare to justify imminent arrest of regime dissidents in same fashion as in april, 1978. They note that despite repeated assurances that evidence proving conspiracy against last year's detainees would be forthcoming, no such evidence was ever made public.

What is missing from analysis of skeptics is convincing rationale as to why gos would go to exorbitant lengths to create impression of danger of mercenary invasion if one did not exist. Inventing spector of external threat is familiar ruse of leaders threatened by serious internal instability and dissatisfaction to draw attention away from domestic difficulties. This is not case here. Discontent, while it exists, is not rampant. Gos has no need to invent such an elaborate charade which, given recent Seychelles political history, excites divisive rather than cohesive sentiments here. In absence of facts to contrary, embassy believes that gos genuinely fears mercenary invasion and that Alfred Lefevre's presence in Seychelles is not coincidental.

Telegram 3 - 19 April 1979

Alfred Lefevre’s story

Honorary Belgian consul has provided embassy with Alfred Lefevre's explanation of his background and presence in Seychelles. Account was obtained during consular access session with Lefevre april 18. At Lefevre's request, Seychelles’ police representative was present throughout meeting with Belgian consul.

According to Lefevre, he fled Belgium in 1977 to escape tax collector. Prior to that time, he asserted, he had never been involved with mercenaries, and was not with Bob Denard in Benin. He was approached while in Las Palmas about joining mercenary group plotting Comoros invasion and accepted on condition he could live in Comoros if coup successful. After invasion of Comoros, he remained there, got married to Comoran girl, took Comoran citizenship, and received Comoran passport. He also became a muslim. This was to legitimize taking wife in addition to one he already had in Belgium. In late 1978, he departed Comoros on vacation.

He sneaked back into Belgium through Luxembourg to see family there. While in Brussels, he was contacted by mercenary types in Katanga bar. Attempt was allegedly made by Roger Drion to recruit him to join mercenary invasion of Seychelles, on behalf ex-president Mancham. Lefevre claims he refused offer. En route back to Comoros he visited Mombasa, where he spent 12 days at Manor Hotel and several weeks at home of Belgian citizen, Maurice Bosman. On feb 04, he sailed from Mombasa to Mayotte on Jacques I, a cement ship, operated by French citizen Henri Peffert.

Subsequent to arrival in Comoros, Lefevre learned that government wanted to withdraw his permit to remain in country. In casting about for another place to live, he was advised to contact Robert Noddyn, in Seychelles. He did so and was invited to visit with Noddyn here. When he arrived, however, he found Noddyn upset because he (Noddyn) had been expecting a different "Albert", who was friend from old days, not Lefevre whom Noddyn did not know. Nonetheless, Lefevre stayed at Noddyn's house. Noddyn, he said, denounced him to Seychelles police, although he does not know why.

Belgian consul believes Lefevre is flaky enough for his story to be true. Furthermore, he also unaware of any evidence in possession of gos which could be used to substantiate allegations of coup plotting or espionage by Lefevre in court.

Yet, there is at least one obvious inconsistency in Lefevre’s story. If he is now Comoran citizen with Comoran passport, how could Comoros government withdraw his permit to reside in country?

Lefevre has been summoned to appear before supreme court Justice april 24. At Lefevre's request, Belgian consul obtained.

Telegram 4 - 2 Mei 1979

Gos reportedly looking for a way out on Lefevre case

With deadline for collection of evidence against detained Belgian citizen Alfred Lefevre approaching (ref d), gos has reportedly made demarche seeking face-saving solution to case. According defense attorney Valabji and Belgian honorary consul Labrigue, Valabji was approached confidentially by gos official with proposition that if Belgian government were to appeal for Lefevre's release, gos would agree. Labrigue has cabled Nairobi and Brussels for instructions.

Gos is apparently attempting to put monkey on Belgium's back to avoid admission that public allegations made at time of Lefevre's arrest cannot be proven in court of law.

Telegram 5 - 23 Mei 1979

Case of detained Belgian mercenary Lefevre drags on

At may 18 hearing on case of detained Belgian mercenary Lefevre, attorney general warren requested and acting chief justice Sauzier accepted additional two-week postponement to permit gos to gather additional evidence. Another hearing has been scheduled for june 01 and public trail dates set for june 11-13.

While there has been no change thus far in legal status of case, there have been developments behind scenes, some of which are worthy of note. First, Belgian government followed through on what it interpreted to be authorized gos demarche seeking face-saving solution to case (ref b). Belgian honorary consul Labrique called on president Rene week of may 07 and formally requested Lefevre's release on humanitarian grounds. To Labrique's amazement, Rene politely but firmly refused. On rechecking with his source, defense attorney Valabji was told that source had recommended Belgian demarche to Valabji on his own initiative, and had not cleared it in advance with president. According to labrique, however, manner in which Belgian request was put permitted Rene to refuse without creating strain on Belgian-Seychellois relations.

On occasion may 04 hearing, Sauzier had granted what he said at time was one last two-week postponement (ref c). Yet, on may 18, he went back on that statement and allowed gos another two weeks. His reasons for doing so are not entirely clear. Some observers believe Sauzier merely wants, insofar as possible, to keep case in institutional legal channels. In view of arbitrary arrest provisions of new detention regulations (ref c), Sauzier knows gos has no need of court to hold Lefevre. Attorney general told charge last week that Lefevre being held both under detention regulations and under provisions of criminal code. Supreme court order for his release would thus have no practical effect. More likely explanation for sauzier's position is that president has brought pressure to bear on him not to embarrass government, particularly before june 05.

Associate judge of supreme court (wood) advised charge may 21 that sauzier is not reconciled to losing his position after june 05 (ref a). To wood's knowledge, gos has not yet made arrangements to hire different chief justice and Sauzier would like to be offered job once again in june after government is "legitimized" by return to constitutional government and elections. By bowing to pressure from president, Sauzier would be demonstrating willingness to cooperate with political authority and might thereby enhance his personal prospects. 4. (c) it now seems most unlikely that anything significant will transpire with respect to Lefevre case prior to june 05. Guilty or innocent, Lefevre has been most useful as symbol of mercenary threat gos believes exists and has helped attract and justify external military support. To release him prior to june 05 would be particularly embarrassing. It may be, however, that he will be quietly deported sometime after june 05 but before scheduled date for beginning of public trial, june 11.

Telegram 6 - 12 Juni 1979

Lefevre now officially held under police security (detention) regulations

This is a document "withdrawal card". It means the document was not declassified and released. However, some metadata is available, which you can use for your research and FOIA purposes.

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Re: Alfred Lefevre

Geboren op 2 april 1932 in Jumet. Heeft er ook gewoond in rue d'Argenteuil. 1m80, blauwe ogen en zwarte baard en snor.

Bron » www.cia.gov/readingroom/ (vanaf pagina 14).

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Re: Alfred Lefevre

Interessant artikel, bedankt voor de link. Ik zou het originele artikel graag willen vinden want ik vermoed dat er een foto van Lefevre in staat. Want volgens het artikel had hij een "block mustache and beard", wat zoveel betekent als een ringbaard.

We leren uit het artikel ook dat hij op 13 oktober 1951 zijn training bij de paracommando's in Schaffen succesvol heeft beëindigd.

Hieronder het volledige artikel:

Belgian-born mercenary arrested in the Seychelles

Who was that Belgian “tourist” recently arrested in the Seychelles? Our special correspondent in Victoria conducted an investigation locally. Here is what he discovered.

He is Belgian and was born on 2 April 1932 in Jumet (Charleroi) where his current home address is 5 rue d'Argenteteuil. He is 1.8 meters tall, has blue eyes and a block mustache and beard. He has three passports: one Belgian and two Comorian, the latter signed in juni 1978 in Moroni by Said Ahmed Saidali, director of the minister of the interiors personal staff. His Belgian passport, No P. 020 334-22935, shows that from January to April 1979, he traveled frequently between Keyna, the Comoros, Mayotte, Reunion, and the Seychelles. His name is Alfred Lefevre. He successfully completed his training at the Schaffen paratroop training center on 13 October 1951. He is a mercenary, a hired assassin. There is every indication that he has been involved in numerous commando operations in Africa and the Arab countries. In fact, he does not deny this and admits he belonged to the group of mercenaries commanded on the woefully famous Bob Denard who overthrew the All Soilth regime.

When he was arrested in late April on Mahe Island by Seychelles authorities, he was carrying an "order" dated 25 July 1978 appointing him second lieutenant and signed by Colonel Said Mustapha M’Hadjiu - one of Bob Denard’s aliases - who was then commander in chief of the Comorian armed forces and military police. Also found in his baggage was a whole collection of photographs in which he 18 flanked by "comrades" - some of them women - all armed to the teeth. But the most compromising item was found among his clothes, namely a uniform identical in every respect to those worn by Seychelles officers, with helmet, beret, and various insignia and badges. He also had letters allegedly written by girls from Moroni, but these were actually coded messages.

This Lefevre is unquestionably a tough customer. When initially interrogated, he promptly and calmly admitted he was a mercenary and intended to join Ian Smith's troops in Salisbury, But he swore he had no intention whatever of organizing any kind of action against the Seychelles. In that case, what was he doing there? Merely sightseeing like any other tourist, he explained. With a Seychelles officer uniform in his suitcase, a uniform that would probably have enabled him to mount a “coup” or organize an attempt on the lives of key Shechelles officials. Lefevre argued that these uniforms are readily available in Mombasa, Kenya, and he had bought his “as a souvenir”. Come, come now!

What was his assigned mission in the Seychelles? He had none. Had had come there from Reunion and was going to leave for Nairobi from where he proposed to join his pals in Rhodesia. What connections did he have with the three individuals, carrying German passports, who had preceded him to the Seychelles some 2 weeks earlier and had left in a hurry when they felt they were under surveillance?

He said he did not know what his questioners were talking about and could not understand why they wanted to implicate him in “alleged venture” about which he knew absolutely nothing. After that, as a good "professional" he practically no longer answered any questions. He now seems to be quietly awaiting his release.

The Belgian consul in Make had requested that he be set free, and “they” have already tried to organize his escape. He is mistaken in his expectations. Albert Rene, the Seychelles chief op state, told us: “We are determined to keep him in custody. We cannot release an individual who openly declares he is going to join Ian Smith’s racist forces for the purpose of massacring or African brothers.”

How did the Seychelles authorities become suspicious of Alfred Lefevre and subsequently arrest him? It seems that he was imprudent and made a few mistakes. There is no doubt that ever since “they" attempted to launch mercenary raids from Mombassa last year, the Seychelles security forces have been on permanent alert, and not only these forces. Aware of the threats hanging over them, all the people of the Seychelles are organized, under the leadership of their party, in an effort to spot subversive agents whether they be natives or foreigners.

Disastrous curiosity

If he had been a tourist, Lefevre would have spent his time swimming and getting a suntan in these paradise-like islands. But instead he appeared to be primarily interested in the country’s armed forces. Wherever he went, he would ask questions about the Seychelles troops, their strength, location, weapons, field exercises, nobility, and the kind and amount of foreign assistance they were receiving. He also inquired about the movement of Seychelles and foreign ships in the archipelago. He was curious about everything. He even tried to develop contacts with persons he did not know, but whom he no doubt believed were well-placed, and introduced himself to them under an assumed name.

In short, he was a rather peculiar tourist. Authorities kept him under surveillance for a short time and then arrested him. Upon examining his baggage, they realized they had done well. At present, the investigation is progressing normally, but what he has said and what was found in his possession already warrant his detention
and would amply justify his conviction.

President Albert Rene is quite firm on this point: he intends to take a series of measures and reform present laws to enhance the government's ability to repress subversive activities against his country. He is even considering the death penalty for those who organize such activities, particularly for mercenaries. “And I mean not only those who will be caught during an operation”, said President Albert Rene. “I mean all mercenaries we can arrest. And such legislation ought to be enforced in all countries threatened by mercenaries, in other words, actually enforced by all progressive countries who are the favorite targets of mercenaries.”

Congo-Leopoldville (Katanga), Nigeria (Biafra), South Yemen, Guinea-Conakry, the Comores, Benin, Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Angola, Mozambique, Madagascar, and now the Seychelles. All of these are aforementioned countries are just so many projects for these soldiers of fortune financed, armed, trained and “remotely controlled” by various intelligence agencies who are prepared to do anything to destabilize the governments of countries that have already gained their independence, countries determined to extricate themselves from imperialist and neocolonialist control once and for all.

Bron: “A mercenary named Lefevre” | Paris Afrique-Asie | 28 May 1979 (in French, pp 15-16)

Kenniz05 wrote:

Geboren op 2 april 1932 in Jumet. Heeft er ook gewoond in rue d'Argenteuil.

Ik vind geen Rue d'Argenteuil in Jumet.

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Re: Alfred Lefevre

Voor wat het waard is: er is een Avenue d'Argenteuil in Waterloo.

Re: Alfred Lefevre

Als ik het artikel lees via de link van kenniz05 dan maak ik daaruit op dat dit een adres in Parijs is. (Paris is de locatie, afrique-asie het Franse blad.

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Re: Alfred Lefevre

Dat is niet wat die zin betekent:

(...) He is Belgian and was born on 2 April 1932 in Jumet (Charleroi) where his current home address is 5 rue d'Argenteteuil.

Volgens die zin is hij geboren in Jumet waar hij op dit moment (wanneer het artikel geschreven is), ook woont.

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Re: Alfred Lefevre

Volgens mij kan het taalkundig allebei Ben, maar het artikel is daarbij vertaalt uit het Frans.

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Re: Alfred Lefevre

Ik zie niet hoe je taalkundig het woord "Paris" kunt toevoegen aan die zin. De enige reden waarom "Paris" er staat, is omdat het magazine "Afrique-Asie" werd gemaakt in Parijs.

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Re: Alfred Lefevre

Ben wrote:

Interessant artikel, bedankt voor de link. Ik zou het originele artikel graag willen vinden want ik vermoed dat er een foto van Lefevre in staat. Want volgens het artikel had hij een "block mustache and beard", wat zoveel betekent als een ringbaard.

Kleine side note (niet om aan muggenzifterij te doen, maar het kan een verschil maken?): volgens mij staat er "black mustache" en niet "block mustache". Dus ik vermoed dat hij gewoon een zwarte baard en snor had (consistent met andere foto's van Beuckels). Is alleszins slecht leesbaar lettertype.

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Re: Alfred Lefevre

Je hebt gelijk, er staat waarschijnlijk "black" en niet "block". Maar hij had wel degelijk een ringbaard.

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