Top Greek member Eva Kaili has been released from Belgian prison, placed under house arrest and fitted with an electronic tracker as she awaits trial in the £1.3million Qatargate corruption scandal
- Eva Kaili, 44, is now awaiting trial for her involvement in the European Union scandal
- Kaili is accused of taking bribes in exchange for influence on EU policy-making
A Greek European Union politician charged with corruption and accused of taking bribes as part of the so-called Qatargate investigation has been released from prison and placed under house arrest.
Eva Kaili, the 44-year-old former Vice President of the European Parliament and Member of the European Parliament, was given an electronic tracker as she now awaits trial for her involvement in one of the biggest scandals that have hit the institutions of the European Union.
The former TV presenter turned socialist politician was joined by her lawyer drove out of Haren prison in the north of Brussels in a darkened Mercedes.
They then drove to her apartment near the European Parliament, where she rolled down the window to talk briefly with reporters.
Kaili, as well as other former EU officials, are accused of taking bribes from Qatar and Morocco in exchange for influence over EU policy-making.
Eva Kaili, the former Vice President of the European Parliament accused of corruption, arrives at her home today after being released from custody
Former TV presenter turned socialist politician is accused of taking bribes as part of the so-called Qatargate investigation
Kaili was relieved of her responsibilities as Deputy Speaker of Parliament, but she still remains a Member of the European Parliament
Kaili spoke briefly to some reporters from her car and said, “My daughter is waiting for me, so I am very happy to be with her in a minute.
“The fight continues, with determination, from my lawyers. We’ll talk soon, she added before the car disappeared into a garage.
In December last year, Kaili was detained along with three others during police raids that saw the recovery of 1.5 million euros (£1.33 million) in cash.
Kaili was subsequently relieved of her responsibilities as Deputy Speaker of Parliament, specifically that of representing President Roberta Metsola in the Middle East, but she still remains a Member of the European Parliament.
She has spent four months in custody and was the last of the main suspects to remain in prison as the Belgian investigation continues. She is not allowed to leave Belgium after she has been given an electronic tag.
Her Italian partner, parliamentary assistant Francesco Giorgi, has also been charged and released.
Two others, Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella and Italian former EU lawmaker Pier Antonio Panzeri, were released from their residences in Belgium on Thursday, also wearing electronic tracking bracelets.
The investigation focuses on alleged attempts by Qatar and Morocco to buy influence in parliament, the elected assembly of the European Union, in particular in an effort to tone down criticism of Qatar’s labor rights ahead of the 2022 World Cup.
Both countries deny any involvement in wrongdoing, as do Kaili and Tarabella.
Eva Kaili told reporters in Brussels today: ‘My daughter is waiting for me, so I’m very happy to be with her like this’
Kaili was detained with three others last year during police raids that recovered 1.5 million euros (£1.33 million) in cash
Kaili (right) has spent four months in custody and was the last of the main suspects to remain in prison as the Belgian investigation continues
Kaili is accused of taking bribes from Qatar to influence EU policy. Pictured: Kaili meeting with Qatari Labor Minister Ali bin Samikh Al Marriin in Doha, October 2022
Kaili has been dating Francesco Giorgi (right) since 2020 and the pair have a two-year-old daughter together
Panzeri, through his lawyer, has announced that he has entered a plea with investigators and has confessed to his role in organizing corrupt payments to a network of political figures.
Tarabella was detained in February after Panzeri claimed to have funneled payouts to him.
The scandal has rocked the EU’s institutions and prompted parliament to introduce reforms to curb outside influence.
Another suspect, Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino, is under house arrest in Italy and is fighting his extradition to Belgium. A hearing will take place in Naples on 2 May.