The Vice-President of the European Parliament, Eva Kaili, who has since been replaced, is still in prison. While some suspects in the European Parliament corruption scandal remain in custody, other politicians have been released after questioning.
Among them is the Italian trade unionist Luca Visentini, who was arrested in mid-December along with five other suspects. He was accused of lobbying the Gulf state of Qatar for money and other gifts. Only shortly before his arrest did the Italian praise the government in Qatar for improving the situation of migrant workers in their country. He himself admitted that he had received 50,000 euros from the Foundation for Combating Impunity. He denied other allegations.
assets frozen
A committee subsequently investigated the events and concluded that Visentini’s behavior was not compatible with union values. After retiring in December, he lost his weekend job as general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). The board has lost confidence in Visentini, it said.
A similar fate befell former European Parliament Vice-President Eva Kaili, who, unlike Visentini, is still in prison. A lot of money was found in bags in the apartment of the social democrat. The Greek authorities have frozen her assets as well as those of family members suspected of complicity in money laundering. Her partner is also one of the main suspects.
The suspects are said to have been members of criminal organizations and influenced EU parliament decisions in favor of the governments of Qatar and Morocco. They would have received money and other gifts for this. The charges are therefore membership of a criminal organization, corruption, but also money laundering.
ITUC officials said on Sunday that no evidence had been found that donations from Qatar or Morocco had influenced its policies or program. A new secretary-general will be elected in early May.
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.
