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The Belgian spies who uncovered the bribery scandal in Qatar that allegedly involved a European vice president did so amid investigations into widespread foreign meddling in the European Union, according to the Belgian justice minister.
Prosecutors suspect that Greek MEP Eva Kaili and three others took bribes from the World Cup host in a bid to influence EU policymaking.
Belgian secret service agents found 700,000 euros in cash hidden in the home of a former Italian MEP after breaking into his home, pulling the string that has unleashed one of the biggest scandals to ever grip the 27-nation bloc.
The country’s Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne told Belgian newspaper Le Soir of the investigation: “It was a game changer that state security has been working on for more than a year, together with foreign intelligence services. , to map suspected bribery of MEPs by various countries.’
Previous Brussels-led investigations into alleged Russian and Chinese influence in the EU uncovered Kremlin spies operating in the posts of trade and diplomatic envoys.
Prosecutors suspect that Greek MEP Eva Kaili (pictured) and three others took bribes from the World Cup host in a bid to influence EU policymaking.
This handout photo released on December 13, 2022 by the Belgian Federal Police shows money seized from the home of former Italian MP Pier Antonio Panzeri and from the apartment of Greek EU Parliament Vice President Eva Kaili and in the room from his father’s hotel.
The disclosure of the Belgian secret service operation came as Francesco Giorgi, an associate of ousted European Parliament vice president Kaili, confessed to his role in a corruption scandal in Qatar, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.
Giorgi’s confession to accepting Qatari bribes to influence European Parliament decisions on Qatar had made a “significant contribution” to the ongoing investigation by Belgian investigating judges, one of the sources said.
According to the same source, Giorgi, an EU parliamentary assistant, tried to exonerate his partner Kaili of any wrongdoing.
Greek MEP Kaili, who was ousted from her post as vice-president of the European Parliament on Monday, has denied wrongdoing through her lawyer.
Giorgi’s lawyer, who is currently in custody pending further investigation into the case, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Qatar has also denied trying to bribe MEPs.
This undated photo shows the Greek Vice President of the European Parliament, Eva Kaili (right), and her partner, Francesco Giorgi.
Belgian police have released photos of the suitcases and boxes full of cash that Eva Kaili’s father had with him when he was arrested outside a Brussels hotel last week.
‘The State of Qatar categorically rejects any attempt to associate him with allegations of misconduct. Any association by the Qatari government with the reported claims is unfounded and seriously misinformed,” a Qatari official said on Thursday.
In his confession, Giorgi also said he suspected Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella of receiving money from Qatar, a source close to the investigation said.
Tarabella, who had previously confirmed that her home was searched on Saturday as part of the Belgian investigation, has denied any wrongdoing.
His lawyer did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola told EU leaders she would lead reforms to prevent a repeat of a criminal corruption scandal.
Giorgi also said he suspected Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino, in whose office Giorgi worked, of receiving illicit funds from Qatar, though he did not cite evidence.
Cozzolino told Italian news agencies: “I am not under investigation. I have not been questioned. I have not been searched, nor has my office been sealed.’
The European Parliament suspended all work on Qatar-linked legislation on Thursday, with Parliament Speaker Roberta Metsola telling EU leaders she would lead reforms to prevent a repeat of a criminal corruption scandal.
EU lawmakers voted 541 to 2 to back a resolution saying they were “appalled” by alleged corruption and money laundering by one of them, a former lawmaker and staff member.
The parliament said it “denounces” the Gulf state’s alleged attempts to seek influence “through acts of corruption, which constitute serious foreign interference in the EU’s democratic processes.”