The Belgian Public Prosecutor has arrested four people on charges of providing bribes from Qatar.
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The European Parliament on Tuesday ousted an MP who was arrested over the weekend as part of an investigation into alleged bribery from Qatar.
“The European Parliament decided on Tuesday to end the term of office of Vice-President Eva Kayley,” the parliament, the only directly elected institution in the European Union, said in a statement.
Eva Kaili, from Greece, has been serving as a member of the European Parliament since 2014. The decision to remove her title and position in Brussels comes after she was arrested by the Belgian authorities on Sunday.
The Belgian prosecutor’s office said in a statement on Monday that it has been working for more than four months on an investigation looking into corruption, money laundering and criminal organisation.
“Hundreds of thousands of euros were confiscated in three different places: 600,000 euros ($632,000) in a suspect’s home, several hundred thousand euros in a suitcase in a hotel room in Brussels, and about 150,000 euros ($158,000) in an apartment owned by a person. Another. Member of the European Parliament”.
The same statement added, “So far, six people have been arrested in this case, of whom four have been arrested, including a member of the European Parliament. These suspects will appear before the Pre-Trial Chamber on Wednesday.” .
Qatar rejects the allegations
Qatar, which is currently hosting the FIFA World Cup, has rejected accusations of bribery. A Qatari official told CNBC Monday: “The State of Qatar categorically rejects any attempts to link it to accusations of misconduct. Any association of the Qatari government with the reported allegations is unfounded and seriously misleading. The State of Qatar works through the foundations – to – share the foundation and works.” In full compliance with international laws and regulations.”
This is not the first time the European Parliament has been embroiled in a scandal over alleged influence. Back in 2011, four MPs were accused of accepting bribes In return for supporting certain policies.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said on Tuesday: “I also know that we have not reached the end of the road and will continue to assist in the investigations, together with other EU institutions, for as long as it takes. Corruption cannot pay, and we have played our part in ensuring that it does not materialize.” these plans.”
Senior officials of the European Parliament also said in a statement on Tuesday They were “shocked and deeply concerned about recent revelations of corruption and criminal influence in the decision-making processes” of the institution.
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