Another MEP arrested in Belgium over Cathargate case

The Belgian prosecutor’s office, investigating a corruption scandal that erupted in the European Parliament, conducted new searches on Friday and took in an MP whose immunity from prosecution was lifted last week.

Prosecutors said the judge overseeing the case will decide later on Friday whether Tarabella faces possible charges. There was no immediate response from Tarabella representatives, who deny wrongdoing.

Greek MEP Eva Kaili and former Italian MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri, along with two others, are being held in Belgium on charges of corruption and money laundering in connection with alleged payments from Qatar and Morocco.

Panzeri agreed to work with the Belgian authorities in exchange for a reduced sentence. Katar and Kylie deny wrongdoing. Morocco has complained of “prosecution” following a bribery investigation dubbed “Katargate”.

Kylie’s partner Francesco Giorgi, who is also in custody and admitted to taking bribes, said he suspects Tarabella of receiving money from Qatar, a source close to the investigation said. George’s lawyer declined to comment.

Tarabella’s lawyer said the MEP had visited Qatar twice and was completely outspoken about those trips to construction sites and work camps, with a focus on human rights, labor rights and freedom of expression.

Last week, the European Parliament stripped Tarabella and Italy’s Andrea Cozzolino of immunity, both centre-left socialists and democrats. Through their lawyers, both denied wrongdoing and said they were ready to answer questions from the Belgian authorities.

According to a report drawn up to lift Tarabella’s immunity, the Belgian investigation found that he “may have been involved in acts of corruption related to the intervention of one or more foreign states in order to influence debates and decisions taken in the European Parliament.”

It stated that “the evidence against him suggests that such payments were made to him on several occasions, totaling between €120,000 and €140,000.”

The scandal erupted in early December after authorities carried out a series of raids in Brussels and Italy, confiscating hundreds of thousands of euros. [Рейтер, АП]

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