Due to the corruption scandal in the European Parliament, the Belgian judiciary has issued arrest warrants against four suspects. “You are accused of involvement in a criminal organization, money laundering and corruption,” the prosecutor’s office in Brussels said on Sunday. As reported by legal circles, Deputy Speaker of Parliament Eva Kaili is also one of them. According to the prosecutor’s office, the apartment of another MEP was searched on Sunday.
Kaili was arrested Friday. The background is one of the biggest corruption scandals in the history of the EU parliament. These are investigations into suspected bribery and corruption, money laundering and attempts to influence political decisions by the Emirate of Qatar, the host of the current FIFA World Cup.
There were at least 16 searches on Friday and six arrests over the weekend. Two detainees were released by the detention judge.
Kaili’s removal is discussed at informal meetings
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, convened the group leaders for an informal meeting on Monday afternoon. As AFP news agency learned from parliamentary circles on Sunday, the meeting with the leaders of the parliamentary groups would be “about Kaili’s resignation and further steps”.
On Friday, Belgian police arrested Kaili, her partner, who also works in the European Parliament, and three other people on suspicion of “gang corruption and money laundering”. According to the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office, the police seized around 600,000 euros in cash, data carriers and mobile phones during the raids. According to information from the Belgian newspaper “L’Echo”, the investigators had found “several bags full of banknotes” in Kaili’s apartment.
In response, Metsola on Saturday stripped Kaili of all powers, duties and responsibilities as one of the 14 Vice Presidents of the European Parliament. Only the EU parliamentarians can jointly decide on Kaili’s resignation. Despite the required two-thirds majority, this should only be a matter of form. For example, German EP vice-president Katarina Barley announced on Sunday that the Social Democratic Group would request that Kailis be voted out. The Greek socialist had already been suspended as a member of the parliamentary group.
Austrian EP vice-president Othmar Karas (ÖVP) also stressed that Kaili should be removed from office. ÖVP delegation leader Angelika Winzig even questioned the seat of the Greek. “If the allegations are correct, she will no longer be allowed to work as a member of parliament,” Tiny said on Sunday.
Planned trip to Qatar canceled by MPs
Because of the corruption scandal, there was a call for further consequences. The Greens, the left-wing group and the Social Democrats called for the postponement of negotiations on visa facilitation for Qatari citizens, which were due to start on Monday.
An EU parliament spokesperson confirmed to AFP news agency on Sunday that a planned trip to Qatar by MEPs from the foreign affairs committee would be canceled “due to the current circumstances”. A group of MPs should have traveled to Qatar and Saudi Arabia in two weeks. The trip to Saudi Arabia continues as planned.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
