Nicholas Mockford, 60, who worked for oil giant ExxonMobil, died after three bullets were fired at close range into his back and head as his wife watched on in horror outside the Da Marcello Italian restaurant in a suburb of Brussels.
A news blackout has been in place since the murder two weeks ago as the Belgian authorities pursued the assassination theory as the likeliest explanation for the execution-style killing.
A police dossier has been compiled in the days since the murder which is understood to examine several theories – ranging from a botched car theft to assassination by eco terrorists angered at ExxonMobil’s involvement in Nigeria and Afghanistan.
The couple were confronted shortly after 10pm on Sunday October 14 by two men wearing motorcycle helmets. Mr Mockford was ordered to hand over the keys to his £40,000 Lexus 4x4 before being shot as his wife Mary screamed “Help, help”.