Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
The European Left Group said in a statement, of which we received a copy, "a corruption scandal shaking Parliament requires urgent clarification." The Left Group called for adding the "pressure from Qatar" scandal to the general agenda of the European Parliament, which will hold its sessions starting tomorrow, Monday, in Strasbourg, so that more details can be identified. Details about the issue and the appropriate response MEPs are considering
. Through the statement, the co-chair of the Left Group, Manon Aubry, said: "Our institution must be strict, transparent and strict with regard to corruption." “We urgently need to know what is happening and who is involved so that a firm response can be given in the interest of the people we are here to represent.”
"The full details of any criminality or corrupt practices affecting decisions in this space must be immediately disclosed," said Co-Chair Martin Sherdiwan. "We demand the full and unfettered cooperation of the European Parliament with the investigating authorities." The Left will formally apply for this topic to be added to the general agenda at the opening of the session in Strasbourg tomorrow, Monday, December 12th, at 17.00.
As for the Belgian parliamentarian, Marie Arena of the Belgian Walloon Socialist Party, she admitted what happened to one of her assistants and said, the house of the Italian national was already searched. The office is closed until Monday morning. The assistant in question was appointed about a year ago to work on cases involving Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. And about the investigation by the Belgian Federal Prosecutor's Office, the MEP said that she is "for transparency. So if there are facts of corruption or interference, they must be brought to light and justice must do its job."
As for the Belgian far-right, "Vlaams Belang," he said in a statement, of which we received a copy, that the European Parliament is shaking from its foundations. The Gulf Islamic state of Qatar, which is currently hosting the World Cup, is said to have bought influence in the European Parliament.
Member of the European Parliament, Tom Vandendreich, who belongs to the same party (Vlaams Belang). : "The police arrested the deputy speaker of parliament." and her partner, Parliamentary Assistant of the S&D Socialists. This indicates that the arm of Qatar reaches the heart of the European Parliament. After all, Qatar could have influenced the decisions of the European Parliament with oil money.
The statement of the Belgian far-right also criticized what it described as the left-liberal elite, as well as the position of the socialist parties and what they used to do in front of cameras and in the dark receiving envelopes of money from Qatar, "according to what was stated in the statement."
Yesterday, Saturday, new details were revealed regarding what had been announced about allegations of a bribery and corruption scandal in the European Parliament, and the arrest of four people for questioning in this file by the Belgian Public Prosecutor’s Office. A former member of the European Parliament and a leader in an international labor movement
  According to the Belgian media reported on Saturday, "The Federal Prosecutor of our country is investigating the possible bribery of members of the European Parliament by Qatar. These people were also arrested after a series of house searches during which 600 thousand euros in cash were found... Investigators suspected From the Federal Judicial Police for several months that a country from the Arab Gulf is trying to influence the economic and political decision-making in the European Parliament.The specific country that is trying to intervene was not mentioned, but it is Qatar that is currently hosting the World Cup.According to the website of the Belgian newspaper NewsBlad
Additions he. On December 1, the European Parliament voted to grant citizens of Qatar visa-free access to Europe. A large majority was found to be in favor. Was that under undue influence? The proposal is awaiting approval by the European Council.
Four people were arrested during Friday's searches. One of them is Eva Kaili, who has been one of the fourteen vice-presidents of the European Parliament since this year and is responsible for relations with the Middle East. The Greek Social Democratic lawmaker was expelled from her party later Friday. She was a television presenter and is a member of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D). Her partner, as well as former Italian MP Antonio Panziri, also a member of S&D, was also questioned.
According to rumors, the court also arrested one of the lobbyists, Luca Visentini. This is the General Secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) which has 200 million members worldwide.
"The four people have been transferred for questioning and can be brought before the investigating judge," the Federal Prosecutor's Office said.