Eva Kaili, the former Vice-President of the European Parliament, and ex-MP Pier Antonio Panzeri have been placed under house arrest. Kaili protests her innocence, Panzeri is cooperating with the Belgian authorities.
Pre-trial detention is over, the process continues – on Thursday, two main figures in the Qatar scandal surrounding attempts to influence the European Parliament were released from prison and placed under house arrest: the Greek social democrat Eva Kaili, former vice president of the European Parliament, and the social democratic ex – MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri has been shackled and placed under house arrest. Another suspect, Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella, was released under house arrest on Tuesday. The suspects are accused of involvement in a criminal organization, money laundering and corruption, and they are presumed innocent.
The affair is about alleged attempts by the Gulf Emirates of Qatar and Morocco to bribe representatives of the European Parliament and thus influence EU policy. Both countries reject the allegations. A total of around 1.5 million euros in cash were confiscated in the course of the scandal.
Less penalty
The corruption scandal was uncovered in mid-December 2022 when Belgian investigators carried out house searches. In January, the Italian Panzeri concluded an agreement with the Brussels public prosecutor’s office. The former MEP undertook to cooperate with the investigators and testify about financial arrangements with third countries, persons involved and other aspects. In return, he only faces a one-year prison sentence, a fine and the confiscation of all assets valued at up to one million euros. Panzeri’s daughter and wife, who originally were also among the suspects, were placed under house arrest in Italy but were released after he agreed to cooperate.
Also involved in the affair is Kaili’s Italian partner, Francesco Giorgi. He has been under house arrest since the end of February and before that – like Panzeri – he had promised the investigators that he would help to solve the case. European parliamentarian Andrea Cozzolino has been under house arrest in Naples since February because of possible involvement in the scandal. The Belgian authorities have requested extradition against him, and a hearing has been scheduled for May 2nd.
“Head held high”
According to Kaili’s lawyer, Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, his client left the prison “with her head held high”. She maintains her innocence and will continue to do so. The further status of the Greek is to be decided in June – according to reports, it is about whether she can be released under conditions or whether she has to remain in prison.
Luca Visentini was also briefly targeted by the Belgian judiciary, but was released in mid-December after being questioned. In the meantime, the Italian was dismissed as general secretary by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). (ag./la)
(“Die Presse”, print edition, April 14, 2023)