The corruption scandal that has erupted in the heart of the European capital in the midst of the Football World Cup in Qatar, involving the name of the Greek MEP, Eva Kaili, who was brought in for questioning on charges of bribery and corruption, is taking on explosive dimensions.
The arrest of Ms Kaili and four other people was part of an investigation conducted yesterday in Brussels by the Anti-Corruption Bureau into a case of corruption and bribery by Qatari officials within the European Parliament.
On Friday 9 December, the Belgian authorities carried out at least 17 searches in various municipalities in Brussels, including at the home of Mrs Eva Kaili. According to the Belgian newspaper L'Echo, Ms Kaili spent the night in detention, as “bags of banknotes” were found in her house. The same newspaper reports that Ms Kaili was arrested in the act, which is the only possible way to break parliamentary immunity. Investigators also arrested Ms Kaili's father, who tried to escape with a suitcase full of banknotes.
According to the newspaper «Le Soir», Ms Kaili, as well as the other four people arrested yesterday, will be heard within 48 hours by a competent judge, who will decide on possible arrest warrants. All are presumed innocent.
The Belgian federal prosecutor's office has not confirmed the names of those arrested, but stresses that they are «personalities with strategic positions».
According to information from AP-MPA, the other four arrested are Ms.Kaili's partner, Francesco Giorgio, who was previously an associate of the also arrested former socialist MEP (2004-2019), Pierre Antonio Panceri. Also arrested was the newly appointed General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), Luca Vincentini, who for 11 years was the head of the European Trade Union Confederation (ETUC). The fifth person is Nicolo Figga Talamanca, director of the NGO, «No Peace Without Justice».
As reported by all the media, the wife and daughter of the former Italian MEP, Pierre Antonio Panceri, who is the founder of one of the NGOs investigated by the Belgian police, «Fight Impunity», which since 2019 has been fighting against human rights violations, were arrested in Bergamo, Italy. 600,000 euros were found in Mr Panceri's home in Brussels, according to Soir.
It has also become known that the Belgian authorities have searched the homes and offices of associates of two Belgian MEPs, Marie Alena, a former Belgian minister, and Mark Tarabella, who are also members of the Socialist Group in the European Parliament. The authorities confiscated computers and sealed the offices of their assistants.
Finally, it is noted that the announcement of the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office states that the Belgian authorities« investigation is focusing on the actions of Qatar, where the FIFA World Cup is currently being held, which is suspected of »influencing the financial and political decisions of the European Parliament by paying substantial sums of money or offering substantial gifts".
