Status: 02/02/2023 1:28 PM
In the EU corruption scandal involving former Vice-President Cayley, the immunity of two other vice-presidents has been lifted. They are said to have received money from Qatar and Morocco. The Belgian judiciary is now investigating.
The European Parliament in Brussels lifted the immunity of two other MEPs. The plenary session came at the request of the Belgian judicial authority to allow criminal investigations to take place. Both politicians were, until recently, members of the Socialist Group.
Belgian Marc Tarabella is suspected of obtaining concessions from the Gulf state of Qatar. According to the Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee, he is said to have taken certain positions in favor of a third country over the past two years. According to a witness statement, he was said to have received between 120,000 and 140,000 euros for this. As part of the December raids, investigators also searched Trabella’s private rooms.
The influence of Qatar and Morocco
Italian Andrea Cozzolino is also said to have been influenced by Qatar and Morocco as well. A report from the Judiciary Committee alleges that Cozzolino reached an agreement with others in 2019 to pressure Parliament against decisions that could harm the interests of certain countries. He is said to have been paid for this.
Tarabella and Cozzolino rejected the allegations, and after the vote to lift immunity, Tarabella said, “I am innocent.” He will work extensively with the judiciary and “mainly provide information on their questions”.
Call Kylie
Francesco Giuri, an employee of Cozzolino, is one of the main suspects in the European Union corruption scandal. He sits alongside three other suspects in custody – including his partner, ousted Deputy Speaker Eva Cayley. The Belgian judiciary accuses them of corruption, belonging to a criminal organization and money laundering. The scandal seized a total of 1.5 million euros in cash.
Kylie’s immunity was lifted in December. It is suspected that the Greek politician received money and expensive gifts from Qatar and Morocco. In return, she is said to have supported the two countries in political decisions. Large sums of cash were found in raids on her apartment. Then the European Parliament decided to remove her from office. Kylie and the other suspects, as well as the two countries, protest their innocence.
