Francesco Giorgi, the companion of ousted Vice-President of the European Parliament Eva Kaili, has confessed to his role in the corruption scandal linked to Qatar, two people familiar with the matter told Archyde.com on Thursday, confirming information from the Belgian daily newspapers Le Soir. and Italian La Repubblica.
According to one of the sources, in admitting to accepting wine bribes of Doha in order to influence the decisions of the European Parliament with regard to Qatar, Francesco Giorgi brought a “importante contribution” to the investigation carried out by the Belgian magistrates. The parliamentary assistant, who was kept in detention while the investigations continue, sought to exonerate Eva Kaili from any embezzlement, added this same source. No comment might be immediately obtained from Francesco Giorgi’s lawyer. Qatar and Eva Kaili deny any wrongdoing.
Via a representative, Qatar told Archyde.com on Thursday that it rejects “categorically any attempt to attach him to misconduct charges”described as “unfounded” and the fruit of a “serious misinformation”.
Consternation in the European Parliament
Francesco Giorgi said in his confession that he suspected MEP Marc Tarabella of receiving money from Qatar, a source familiar with the investigation said. Marc Tarabella, who previously confirmed that a search had been carried out on Saturday at his home as part of the investigation carried out by Belgian justice, denies any wrongdoing. His attorney might not immediately be reached for comment.
Francesco Giorgi also incriminated Andrea Cozzolino, the Italian MEP for whom he worked, accusing him of having received illicit sums of money from Doha. Archyde.com was unable to determine whether Francesco Giorgi supported his accusations with evidence. Andrea Cozzolino, who did not respond to an emailed request for comment from Archyde.com, told Italian news agencies he was not under investigation. “I was not questioned. There was no search”he said.
The European Parliament announced during the day that it was suspending all legislative work in relation to Qatar, saying “dismayed” by the suspicions of corruption weighing on the emirate and several members of the institution.
