The Belgian public prosecutor carried out 21 searches in the capital Brussels together with several regions in Flanders and Portugal. The examined Brussels, which examined the magistrate, initiated an investigation of the allegations of corruption within the European Parliament and the Chinese technology company Huawei.
According to the statement, the public prosecutor claimed that up to 15 former and current members of the European Parliament (MEPS) had taken part in corrupt actions, including counterfeits and use of counterfeits. The office stated that the investigation began in 2021 and revealed corruption “under the guise of commercial lobbying”, including remuneration for the inclusion of political statements and excessive gifts. The office claims that corruption intends to prioritize private commercial interests in public decisions. Belgian officials also stated that they would carry out their eyes for money laundering.
The office also revealed that the allegations of corruption are connected to the Chinese technology -giant Huawei. The company told Agence France press That it has a zero tolerance guideline compared to corruption or other misconduct, and we undertake to comply with all applicable laws and regulations at any time. “
In the further course of the investigation, a parliamentary spokesman Euronews announced that the parliament implemented a temporary ban on the representatives of Huawei, which entered its premises.
This bribery scandal comes three years after the Belgian police have searched several Matolien after another bribery scandal in which Qatar was involved in which similar allegations were made. Director of Transparency International EU, Nicholas Aiossa, said:
This is not a surprise, since the parliament after the Qatargate scandal simply did not use the necessary reforms that you should prevent for the next scandal. And here we are today. Until there are rules that prevent gifts from taking, travel and lucrative side jobs from Meps, there will always be this risk.
In September 2023, the European Parliament passed new regulations in which the MPs participate in lobby activities and have committed the MPs to declare the association with external actors. Transparency International EU argued that the European Parliament does not implement a transparent ethics regime. The system continues to enable corruption due to inadequate sanctions and a lack of independent supervision.
