Josep Borrell, foreign policy chief, has stated that the accusations of corruption brought against the members of the European Parliament are very worrying, the BBC writes.
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said the charges against the four cast a large shadow over the European Union. Eva Kaili, vice-president of the European Parliament, is among those arrested and is believed to have been charged. Prosecutors believe that the Persian Gulf countries impact the EP by bribing. Qatar, who is believed to be responsible, denies the accusation.
The Belgian police seized around 600,000 euros in cash in searches in Brussels. Computers and mobile phones were also confiscated. Four of the arrested persons were charged, while two were released.
Kaili, who has been an MEP for eight years, has been suspended from the post of EP vice president. She was also expelled from the Socialists and Democrats group of the EP, as well as from the Greek party Pasok. Her assets are frozen in Greece.
Opposition MEPs have indicated that this investigation could shed light on one of the biggest scandals in the EP’s history. Borell stated that the investigation does not affect any person in the EU diplomatic service.
Prosecutors say the Gulf states are suspected of influencing decisions for several months, mainly by trying to influence aides. Kaili’s responsibilities as vice president also include relations with Qatar.
EP President Roberta Metsola arrived in Belgium on the evening of the 9th of December to be present in the search at Kaili’s residence. Her representative told the media that the EP stands up against corruption.
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