Five charges: corruption investigations in the EU Parliament

IIM In addition to the current investigation into alleged corruption in the European Parliament, the Belgian public prosecutor has raised charges against five people. Among other things, active corruption is accused of four of them, as the authority announced. Another person is suspected of money laundering.

According to the information, the four main suspects were shown to an examiner judge according to their arrests. Now the responsible bodies had decided to extend the pre -trial detention. The fifth accused was released under conditions.

Further searches in the EU Parliament

On Monday, offices in the European Parliament in Brussels were also searched again, some of which had previously been sealed. The investigation is related to allegations that the Chinese technology group Huawei has tried to have an unauthorized influence on decision -making processes.

Chinese technology companies like Huawei have been criticized for years. In particular, it is feared that China could influence western telecommunications infrastructures through such corporations.

It became known on Thursday that around 100 police officers had moved to 21 house searches in Belgium and Portugal due to the investigation into active bribery and forgery. Several people were temporarily arrested.

Not the first scandal

Around two years ago, investigations into corruption, money laundering and attempted influence of a Gulf State had shaken the European Parliament. The scandal, which has become known under the name Katargate, is about suspected influence on political decisions by the governments of Qatar and Morocco.

At the end of 2022, investigations against the then Vice President of the EU Parliament Eva Kaili and other suspects were initiated for participation in a criminal association, money laundering and corruption. The investigation and procedures are still ongoing.

Last year there were also searches in the European Parliament on suspicion of Russian and Chinese influence.