While the bribery investigation, which is described as the biggest corruption scandal in the European Parliament, continues, Athens took a step against the detained former European Parliament Vice President Eva Kaili.
Europe is shaken by a corruption operation involving many prominent political figures…
It was reported that arrest warrants were issued for 4 people, including Greek deputy Eva Kaili, who was dismissed as part of the bribery investigation, which is described as the biggest corruption scandal in the European Parliament.
Finally, Greece froze all the assets of Eva Kaili, who was detained in Brussels on charges of taking bribes from Qatar. It was stated that the decision against Kaili covers “bank accounts, safes, companies and all other financial assets”. It was also revealed that the assets of Kaili’s family members were also confiscated.
The Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office announced that the interrogation of Kaili and other detainees continues today. Prosecutors said they had suspected for months that the Gulf country under investigation was trying to gain influence in Brussels in exchange for money and gifts.
While searches were conducted in 16 houses during the operations, Luca Visentini, Secretary General of the International Trade Union Confederation, and Antonio Panzeri, one of Italy’s top politicians, are among the names detained. 600,000 euros in cash were seized during the searches.
Former television announcer Kaili, 44, who was reported to have bags of cash at his home, was dismissed from the Greek PASOK party and his position as Vice President of the European Parliament responsible for relations with the Middle East, following the scandal.
‘EUROPE’S RELIABILITY IS IN DANGER’
Statements came one after another from European authorities about the scandal. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, said: “The allegations against the Vice-President of the European Parliament are very serious. “It’s a question of people’s trust in our institutions,” he said.
Josep Borrell, High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said: “The news is definitely very very worrying. We are faced with some events and facts. As one of the AP’s ex-presidents, it certainly worries me a lot. No reference was made to anyone from the EU Foreign Affairs Service or delegations, we were not affected.”
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said: “This incredible event needs to be brought to light. The issue is Europe’s credibility,” he said.
EXPLANATION FROM QATAR
Meanwhile, Qatar denied allegations that it bribed strategically located people to influence some of the European Parliament’s economic and political decisions.
The Qatar European Union Mission made a written statement on its Twitter account and noted that diplomatic work was carried out within the framework of respect for international law.