2023-12-19 17:55:32
Since the outbreak of Qatargate, this affair of alleged corruption and foreign interference within the European Parliament, Pier Antonio Panzeri – alleged mastermind of the affair arrested in December 2022 – has never spoken publicly. On only one occasion, his lawyers did it for him, on the RTBF news set, it was to explain the reasons why he had opted for repentant status.
I cannot accept the multiplication of untruths and unfounded accusations any longer without reacting.
Today, via a press release, Pier Antonio Panzeri’s lawyers remind that neither they nor their client “do not intend to take part in the public debate relating to this matter“. But, challenged on all sides, Pier Antonio Panzeri nevertheless intends to make this clarification: “In a democracy, everyone assumes their defense as they wish and I do not have to judge that. I am not anyone’s enemy in this instruction and have limited myself to telling the truth to Justice as to what I did, with others. However, I cannot accept the proliferation of untruths and unfounded accusations any longer without reacting. As such, I wish to be confronted as quickly as possible by the investigating judge with Mr. Marc Tarabella whose defense is constantly trying to discredit me through the media.”
Great unpacking once morest the status of repentant
At the heart of this clarification, the revelations made by the man who became the second repentant in the history of Belgian justice. For the record, in January 2023, Pier Antonio Panzeri, as part of an agreement with the courts, undertakes to reveal everything he knows regarding Qatargate: the beneficiaries of the corruption, the organization, the circuits financial resources used… A big reveal in exchange for repentant status, a “limited” sentence to 1 year in prison and a fine estimated at 1 million euros.
In his statements, Pier Antonio Panzeri admits to corruption and to being one of the leaders of the organization. But in his testimony, according to various media, he also revealed having paid more than 120,000 euros in cash to the socialist MEP Marc Tarabella. Information that Pier Antonio Panzeri’s lawyer, Me Laurent Kennes, has never confirmed: “It is forbidden for us, and it is part of the agreement, we do not confirm information on the file which is under investigation“
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