The suspected mastermind behind the EU corruption scandal, Pier Antonio Panzeri, faces jail or handcuffs. According to his lawyer, the prison sentence is a total of five years, but most of it can be suspended on probation.
Panzeri must spend a year in prison or wear an ankle bracelet, his lawyer Laurent Kennes told Belgian broadcaster RTL on Wednesday. Former MEP Panzeri signed an agreement with the public prosecutor’s office on Tuesday in which he promised to make an integral contribution to the investigation into the corruption scandal. The central theme is the alleged influence of Qatar and Morocco on political decisions of the European Parliament.
Assets worth one million euros
The deal with the prosecutor’s office means that Panzeri will have to spend less time in jail and pay a fine in exchange for his cooperation. In addition, all of its acquired assets, currently estimated at one million euros, must be included.
According to his lawyer, Panzeri’s first hearing is scheduled for Friday, with three or four more to follow. “He will explain everything,” they said. According to L’Echo newspaper, Panzeri has already testified that he gave Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella more than 120,000 euros in cash in several installments for his aid related to Qatar. Belgian detectives had already conducted searches in December in the house of the social democrat and later asked parliament to lift his immunity.
Money laundering and criminal association
In addition to Panzeri, several other suspects were arrested in Belgium in December. They are suspected of money laundering, corruption and involvement in a criminal organization.
Source: Krone

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