A Belgian train conductor will be prosecuted for greeting travelers in French in a Flemish area, sparking language controversy.

Ilyass Alba, a train conductor at SNCB, has been charged with violating language rules after he greeted travelers in French in Vilvorde, a Flemish region. Although SNCB will not impose sanctions, the case highlights the language divisions in Belgium. The rules require the exclusive use of Dutch in Flemish territories, and the traveler's complaint was found to be well-founded by the Language Control Board. The controller, popular on social media, has the backing of the resigning minister of mobility, who is calling for more flexibility in the application of language laws.