BRUSSELS: Prosecutors on Saturday charged a Belgian parliamentarian in the European parliament with corruption after searching his bank safe as part of an investigation into a bribery scam linked to Qatar that has rocked the European Union.
The Socialist deputy Marc Tarabella, was detained by police on Friday after federal prosecutors of Belgium said raids were carried out targeting his safe in Liege city and offices in the town hall of Anthisnes, where he is mayor.
Eric van der Sijpt, a spokesman for the prosecutor’s office, told AFP Tarabella had been indicted on charges of corruption, money laundering, and for “participating in a criminal organization” as part of the Belgian probe into suspected bribery linked to Morocco and Qatar.
The so-called Qatargate scandal has created major concerns in the EU’s institutions and caused the parliament to hastily seek reforms looking to curb outside influence.
European Union investigation into corruption scandal
Last week, the parliament voted to lift Tarabella’s immunity from prosecution, and that of Italian lawmaker Andrea Cozzolino, following a request by Belgian investigation team.
Suspected of aiding Morocco to weigh in on European parliament decisions, Andrea Cozzolino was arrested in Italy on an international arrest warrant on Friday, van der Sijpt said.
Both have pleaded innocence, and Tarabella has said he was looking forward to the chance to clear his name from the graft allegations.
Authorities in Morocco and Qatar have denied any involvement in the case.
Belgium authorities have three suspects already in custody after raiding several addresses in December that turned up $1.6 million (1.5 million euros) in cash.
Those arrested and charged with money laundering, corruption, and criminal organization include a Greek MEP, Eva Kaili, who was one of the 14 vice presidents of the parliament but has since been stripped of that position. – AFP/APP
