Qatar’s suspicions of corruption in the European Parliament: an inspection of 600 thousand euros… What we know about the case
On the orders of Judge Michel Cleese, who specializes in financial affairs and money laundering, the Belgian police arrested, Friday, December 9, five people linked to the European Parliament and carried out sixteen investigations on an alleged corruption case related to Qatar, reveals the Le Evening daily. About €600,000 in cash was discovered and the vice-president of the European Parliament was arrested.
The Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office announced on Friday, December 9th Five people arrested In the course of an investigation by a financial judge in Suspicions of “corruption” and “money laundering” within the European Parliamenta statement Evening. A country in the Middle East, without a doubt Qatar will participate In this case according to Parisian.
The survey began in July
The Flemish Journal Methods And the Evening It indicates that a federal investigation has been opened in the middle of july, In Belgium, regarding an alleged criminal organization, which is suspected of meddling in the politics of the European Union, on behalf of Qatar.
The Gulf state would have triedInfluencing the economic and political decisions of the European Parliament By “paying large sums of money or making large gifts to third parties with an important political and/or strategic position within the European Parliament,” Federal Judicial Police investigators explain in a press release issued by the scientist.
The judge who heard the case, Michelle Cleese, has chosen his history well, since then December 9 was the International Anti-Corruption Day.
Sixteen research
16 homes and apartments were searched On Friday morning, in fourteen different speeches by agents of the Central Office for the Suppression of Corruption (OCRC) in Brussels, Ixelles, Schaerbeek, Krineme, Forest and Brussels City.
In total, there were no less than Five arrestsreports France information. Among those arrested was a member of the Greek Socialist European Parliament and Vice-President of the European Parliament Eva Kylie. His companion Francesco Giorgi, a parliamentary aide, Luca Visentini, an Italian trade union leader, Pier Antonio Panzeri, a former Italian member of parliament from the Group of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) from 2004 to 2019, as well as a director of an NGO, were also detained.
600,000 euros in cash
Police found out About 600,000 euros in cash. In a safe in the house of Pier Antonio Panzieri, as well Computers and mobile phones whose content will be analyzed, details Western France.
The S&D Deputy Assistants’ office has been closed through Monday to allow the police to investigate.
Eva Kylie, the centerpiece of the case?
The Greek was arrested on Friday at the time She was taken for a hearing by Judge Cleesebecause he was going to be taken in in the event. As an exception to this principle, Eva Kylie cannot be questioned because of her status as a European parliamentarian who is proposing to her immunity.
Le Parisien notes that no information has yet been filtered regarding this possible witnessed crime.
Shortly before the World Cup, the former Greek TV news anchor, on behalf of the European Union, praised Qatar’s commitment Follow-up work repairsAccording to a tweet from the Federation’s ambassador to Doha, Christian Tudor.
On November 22, MEPs notably declared during a forum in the European Parliament: “Today, the FIFA World Cup in Qatar is concrete evidence of how sports diplomacy can lead to a historic transformation in a country whose reforms have inspired the Arab world. Qatar is a leading country in the field of workers’ rights. “
A Greek elected official explains to Le Parisien that Ms. Cayley “does not wish to give up her seat because she knows that this would lead to Waiver of his parliamentary immunity“.
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