European Parliament Lifts Immunity of Two MEPs over Qatargate Corruption Case

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The Qatargate scandal unfolded in December when Belgian police arrested former EP vice president and Greek MEP Eva Kaili, her partner and former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri, and two other suspects and charged them with accepting bribes and money laundering.

The European Parliament on Thursday voted to lift the legal immunity of two MEPs following a request by Belgian authorities investigating the Qatargate corruption scandal, which has rocked the parliament.

Italian Andrea Cozzolino and Belgian Marc Tarabella allegedly took money from countries, including Qatar and Morocco, to try and influence the EP’s work, but both MEPs, who have already been excluded from their Socialists & Democrats group, have strongly denied any wrongdoing.

The Qatargate scandal unfolded in December when Belgian police arrested former EP vice president and Greek MEP Eva Kaili, her partner and former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri, and two other suspects on suspicion of corruption and money laundering.

Panzeri is alleged to have led a network that took bribes from Qatar and Morocco in return for influencing the EP. Some €1.5m (£1.3m) was recovered in cash in a series of raids in Brussels and elsewhere.

Both Qatar and Morocco have strongly rejected allegations that they sought to gain influence over MEPs. However, prosecutors said Panzeri, who agreed to “tell all” as part of a plea deal under an informant law, had admitted “criminal responsibility”.

Cozzolino, who was the chair of the parliament’s delegation with Maghreb countries, including Morocco, is accused of accepting money to block resolutions damaging the interests of non-European Union countries.

Tarabella, whose home was raided last month when Belgian police detained the four suspects, is accused of receiving up to €140,000 in bribes to adopt certain positions at the EP.

The EP’s votes happened with little ceremony in a matter of seconds when lawmakers began a session of the parliament Thursday morning. MEPs simply raised their hands as the details were read out.

EP President Roberta Metsola will now communicate the decision to Belgian prosecutors.