Eight individuals have been charged with corruption, money laundering, and involvement in a criminal organization following an investigation into alleged bribery within the European Parliament, as stated by Belgium’s public prosecutor on Friday.
These charges stem from an announcement made by Belgian prosecutors on March 13, when they revealed the detention of several individuals in connection with suspected bribery linked to the European Parliament, purportedly benefiting China’s Huawei.
On the same day, Belgian investigators conducted raids at 21 locations across Belgium and Portugal, and a judge has since ordered the sealing of the offices of two parliamentary assistants.
According to Belgian prosecutors, the alleged corruption has been occurring “very discreetly” since 2021, disguised as commercial lobbying. It reportedly involved payments for political favors and lavish gifts, including food, travel expenses, and frequent invitations to football matches.
Prosecutors have indicated that the alleged bribery was intended to benefit Huawei.
In response to the allegations, Huawei has stated that it takes the matter seriously and intends to engage with authorities promptly to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation. The company also emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and other unethical practices.
On Friday, the prosecutor’s office reported that among the eight charged individuals, three are under electronic surveillance, two have been released, and three remain in custody. No additional details were provided.
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The European Parliament has acknowledged receiving a request from Belgian authorities for assistance in the investigation and has committed to complying fully and promptly.
At the end of 2022, the EU faced the ‘Qatargate’ scandal, which involved allegations of cash-for-influence schemes, leading to charges against four individuals connected to the European Parliament. These individuals were suspected of receiving bribes from Qatar and Morocco to sway decision-making within the EU assembly. This investigation is still ongoing.
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