Federal Police raided 16 locations in central Brussels on Friday. Among the people arrested and heard was, among others, a former member of the European Union Parliament.
“For several months, federal investigators have suspected that a country in the Arabian Peninsula has attempted to influence financial and political decisions in the European Parliament, by paying large sums of money or making gifts to third parties that hold important political or strategic positions in the European Parliament,” a statement read. Journalist of the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office.
Qatar is highlighted
Prosecutors did not give names or nationalities – but according to information provided to the Belgian newspaper Le Soir, it is an attempt at bribery in favor of Qatar. The paper also mentions that an Italian former member of the European Union Parliament from the S&D Social Democratic party group has been questioned. Le Soir also mentions another person who was questioned as an Italian with a very large role in the international trade union movement.
It is appalling and of course damaging to the international trade union movement both in Europe and the world if there is any truth to it. We don’t know that at all, so we can do nothing but wait for this investigation, Oskar Ernerot, head of the Swedish LO International Unit, tells TT.
During the raids, the equivalent of six million Swedish kronor in cash, computer equipment and mobile phones were seized.
According to the prosecution’s statement, people who work as assistants in parliament have been particularly targeted.
“no comment”
According to information published by the Le Soir newspaper, about half a million kroner should have been found with the former member. The newspaper wrote that the four arrested and interrogated had links to Italy. The raids around Brussels are said to have been carried out by at least three people with assistant assignments within the S&D group and one from the conservative Christian Democratic Party (EPP) group.
Comments from the EU Parliament have so far been cautious.
“The Parliament of the European Union does not comment on ongoing legal proceedings. As always, the Parliament cooperates fully with the relevant national authorities,” salutes the Parliament’s press service.
According to Le Soir newspaper, the investigation has been going on for four months under the supervision of Judge Michel Cleese, who specializes in financial crimes.
The European Parliament includes members from all 27 member states of the European Union, who are elected in general national elections for five-year terms. The parliament currently has 705 members, 21 of whom are from Sweden. The current chairperson is Roberta Metsola of Malta.
Parliament is joint legislative with the Council of Ministers of the European Union in a large number of areas of politics, but not foreign policy, where you only have the opportunity to make non-binding statements.
Parliament meets in week-long sessions in Strasbourg, France, about once a month. They also have large headquarters in Brussels, where most committee meetings take place and the members also have their offices. Smaller two-day sessions are also held in Brussels several times a year.
In total, Parliament has about 8,000 employees.
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