Belgium charges eight people in European Parliament bribery probe
Eight individuals have recently been charged with corruption, money laundering, and involvement in a criminal organization following an investigation into alleged bribery at the European Parliament, as announced by Belgium’s public prosecutor in a statement released on Friday.
The charges stem from Belgian prosecutors’ actions on March 13, when several individuals were detained over suspicions of bribery within the European Parliament, reportedly on behalf of China’s Huawei. This move came after Belgian investigators conducted raids on 21 locations across Belgium and Portugal, resulting in a judge ordering the sealing of the offices of two parliamentary assistants.
The alleged corruption is said to have occurred discreetly since 2021, disguised as commercial lobbying. It involved payments for favorable political stances, excessive gifts like food and travel expenses, and regular invitations to sporting events, particularly football matches. Prosecutors have indicated that the bribery was intended to benefit Huawei.
In response to these developments, Huawei has stated that it takes the accusations seriously and will promptly engage with authorities to gain a full understanding of the situation. The company has also reiterated its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and other misconduct.
As for the legal proceedings, the prosecutor’s office disclosed that out of the eight charged individuals, three are under electronic surveillance, two have been released, and three remain in custody. Further details regarding the case were not provided.
The European Parliament has acknowledged receiving a request from Belgian authorities for cooperation in the investigation and has pledged to fully comply with the inquiry’s requirements.
This incident comes on the heels of the ‘Qatargate’ scandal that rocked the EU in late 2022, where four individuals associated with the European Parliament were charged by Belgian authorities for allegedly accepting bribes from Qatar and Morocco. These payments were purportedly aimed at influencing decision-making within the EU assembly. The investigation into ‘Qatargate’ is still ongoing.
As the legal proceedings unfold, it is essential for all parties involved to adhere to due process and for the European Parliament to maintain transparency and accountability in addressing any instances of corruption or misconduct within its ranks.
