Corruption in European Parliament-investigation is underway
2022.12.12 06:46
Corruption in European Parliament-investigation is underway
Budrigannews.com – Following allegations that Qatar lavished cash and gifts on European Parliament officials in order to influence decision-making, EU foreign ministers issued a warning on Monday that the credibility of the European Union is in danger.
Greece on Monday froze the resources of a vital suspect for the situation, Eva Kaili, a VP in the European Parliament and one of four individuals captured and charged in Belgium over the course of the end of the week, a source with information with regards to this issue said.
A request for a response from Kaili’s office was not met. Qatar has refuted any allegations.
As part of the investigation, Belgian prosecutors searched 16 homes in Brussels on Friday and seized 631,800 euros.
Prosecutors issued a statement on Sunday stating that four individuals had been charged with “participation in a criminal organization, money laundering, and corruption.”
They did not name the suspects, but the Greek socialist PASOK party and the European Parliament both said over the weekend that they were removing Kaili from their ranks.
When German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock arrived in Brussels for a regular meeting with her EU counterparts, she stated, “This is an unbelievable incident that has to be cleared up completely with the full force of law.”
“This is about Europe’s credibility.”
Irish International concerns Clergyman Simon Coveney repeated her anxiety. ” It is harming. We must determine the cause.”
Prosecutors in Belgium said they had known for months that a state in the Gulf was trying to buy influence in Brussels.
According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Qatar is the state. Over the weekend, allegations of possible misconduct were denied by a Qatari official.
According to the official, “any association of the Qatari government with the reported claims is baseless and gravely misinformed.”
The examination comes as World Cup have Qatar is in the worldwide spotlight, in the midst of analysis of its common freedoms record, including its treatment of traveler laborers.
Kaili slammed Qatar’s opponents and praised the energy-rich Gulf State as “a frontrunner in labor rights” in a speech he gave in the European Parliament on November 21 as the month-long soccer tournament began.
“They freely committed to a vision and opened their doors to the outside world. There are still voices calling for discrimination against them. Kaili stated, “They bully them and accuse everyone who talks to or engages with them of corruption.”
Ministers were quick to condemn the alleged corruption when they arrived at the EU meeting on Monday.
According to Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, “any kind of corruption is absolutely unacceptable.”
He said, “Qatar is an important partner for the EU’s energy,” and added, ” Naturally, a set of policies, including labor rights and human rights, must underpin the EU’s relationship with Qatar.
Last month, some diplomats from Europe told Reuters that as the continent got closer to a winter of energy shortages as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, there was more pressure to keep good ties with Qatar.
This week, a proposal to grant Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, and Ecuador visa-free entry to the EU was scheduled for a vote in the European Parliament.
A few officials have proposed the vote ought to be deferred. A debate on the corruption raids has been called for by others. In a session that is scheduled to begin at 1600 GMT, the European Parliament is going to examine both requests.
