Anti-corruption operation: The Greek financial prosecutor’s office opens an investigation into Eva Kaili

– The Greek financial prosecutor’s office opens an investigation into Eva Kaili

Greece is investigating the MEP, while the President of the European Parliament announced Thursday “wide-ranging” reforms for 2023.

Posted today at 2:52 p.m.

Eva Kaili is suspected of “corruption” and “money laundering” in connection with Qatar.

AFP/EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

The Athens financial prosecutor’s office has opened a preliminary investigation into the Greek MEP imprisoned in Belgium Eva Kaili for “corruption” and “money laundering”, we learned Thursday from a judicial source.

“Financial prosecutor Nikos Bardakis has ordered the opening of an investigation (on Eva Kaili) for having received bribes and for money laundering”, in cooperation with the Belgian justice which is investigating the ex- Vice-President of the European Parliament at the heart of a resounding corruption scandal allegedly linked to Qatar, this judicial source told AFP.

Greek Minister of Justice Kostas Tsiaras said on Monday that it was obvious that “Greece would help the Belgian authorities” if necessary.

No further details regarding this preliminary investigation were provided by this judicial source.

The President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola announced Thursday “extensive” reforms for 2023. This following the alleged corruption scandal involving Qatar which is shaking this institution.

“There are gaps that need to be filled,” said Roberta Metsola.

KEYSTONE/EPA/STEPHANIE LECOCQ

“I am putting together a package of far-reaching reforms which will be ready at the beginning of next year,” Ms Metsola told a European summit in Brussels, mentioning in particular the strengthening of the protection of whistleblowers and the banning of unofficial friendship groups with third countries.

“There are gaps that need to be filled, for example with regard to the activities of former members of the European Parliament, entries in the transparency register, people authorized to enter the European Parliament,” she said. added.

Assets frozen

As of Monday, the Greek Anti-Money Laundering Authority announced that it would freeze all the assets of the 44-year-old elected socialist whose appearance before Belgian justice was postponed to Wednesday December 22.

Eva Kaili, suspected of having been paid by Doha to defend the interests of the emirate which hosts the World Cup, claims her innocence and her lawyer in Athens, Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, affirmed that “she did not know of the existence ” large sums of money found at his Brussels home by Belgian investigators.

Francesco Giorgi, his Italian companion, was kept in preventive detention, according to the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office on Wednesday.

On the same topic:

AFP

You found an error?Please let us know.

0 comments