A total of six people were deprived of their liberty on Friday as part of the large-scale investigation by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office and the Federal Police for alleged offenses of criminal organization, corruption and money laundering, announces the Federal Prosecutor’s Office in a statement issued Sunday.
Four individuals have been placed under arrest warrant by the Brussels investigating judge who is leading the investigation. They are charged with membership in a criminal organization, money laundering and corruption. Two people were released by the judge, adds the federal prosecutor’s office.
In this case “the payment of large sums of money or the offering of significant gifts to third parties having a political and/or strategic position making it possible, within the European Parliament, to influence the decisions” of this institution is suspected. , underlines the statement of the parquet floor.
Eva Kaili imprisoned
Greek Vice-President of the European Parliament Eva Kaili and three other people were charged and imprisoned on Sunday in Belgium in an investigation into suspicions of corruption in connection with Qatar within this institution of the EU, indicated to the AFP a judicial source.
She might not benefit from her parliamentary immunity because the offense of which she is accused was found “in flagrante delicto” on Friday, explained the same source.
This source confirmed press reports that Ms Kaili was in possession of “bags of tickets” on Friday evening when Belgian police arrested her.
Saturday evening the President of the European Parliament, the Maltese Roberta Metsola, had decided on a first sanction once morest Eva Kaili. The Greek Vice-President had been stripped of all the tasks delegated by Ms. Metsola, including that of representing her in the Middle East region.
Left-wing MEPs, including the ecologist Philippe Lamberts on behalf of the Greens group in the European Parliament, demanded the resignation of Ms. Kaili, excluded from the Greek Socialist Party (Pasok-Kinal) on Friday evening.
Search at Marc Tarabella
In addition, a search took place Saturday evening around 8:00 p.m. at the home of a second MEP, adds the federal prosecution. This is the PS MEP Marc Tarabella, according to information from Le Soir and Knack confirmed to the Belga agency by the person concerned.
“Justice is doing its work of information and investigation, which I find completely normal. I have absolutely nothing to hide and I will answer all questions, of course if it can help them shed light on this affair, ”commented the deputy.
“Wife and daughter of Pier Antonio Panzeri also arrested in Italy”
In Italy, the wife and daughter of former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri were also arrested as part of the investigation opened by the Belgian courts into suspicions of corruption in connection with Qatar, Italian media announced on Sunday and Politico website.
Wife and daughter would have played an active role in the alleged illegal affairs of Pier Antonio Panzeri, a former MEP currently at the head of the non-profit organization Fight Impunity. During a search of his home, 600,000 euros were found. Bribes would have enabled the family to build a town in the Italian Alps and to organize a sumptuous family celebration, the organization of which would have cost 100,000 euros.
The wife and daughter of the former MEP, who dispute the charges, have been placed under arrest warrant by an investigating judge in Brescia. Italian police acted on a European arrest warrant, according to Politico.
