World Cup host country Qatar is at the center of a new scandal unfolding in the European Parliament, one of the three main institutions of the European Union.
The timing of the revelations has been described as awkward for the entire EU as the 27-nation bloc tries to forge a good relationship with the oil-rich Gulf nation ahead of winter as the continent tries to reduce its dependence on Russian energy. Germany has already signed an agreement with Qatar to guarantee the supply of liquefied natural gas.
What is “Qatargate”?
“Qatargate” has been used to describe allegations that the Qatari government bribed European Parliament officials and others to achieve its goals.
Belgian investigators raided residences and parliamentary offices. Searches were also carried out in Italy.
Authorities have so far recovered more than 1.5 million euros (about $1.6 million) in cash through the raids, a spokesman for the Belgian prosecutor’s office told Politico on Tuesday. Authorities said they seized 600,000 euros from a suspect’s home, 150,000 euros from a MEP’s apartment and “several hundred thousand euros” in a suitcase at a Brussels hotel, the agency said.
Why is it alleged that the Qatari government bribed officials in the European Parliament?
Qatar’s main objective would have been to ensure smooth travel to the EU for its citizens.
Currently, Qataris must apply for a Schengen visa before traveling to the EU. Under the proposed legislation, Qatari residents would be able to obtain a visa on arrival in the EU that would allow them to stay for up to three months, according to the New York Times.
Qatar has denied any wrongdoing.
Who is involved in the scandal?
Police have arrested a total of six people so far. The most important official involved in the scandal is Eva Kaili, Greek MEP, who has been with the body since 2014.
Kaili, who was arrested on Friday, is accused of corruption, money laundering and criminal organization, according to Politico’s Brussels Playbook. He is due to appear in court on Wednesday, the media reported.
“It has nothing to do with funding Qatar, nothing, explicitly and unequivocally,” defense lawyer Michalis Dimitrakopoulos told a Greek television station on Tuesday, according to Reuters.
His assets in Greece were frozen.
Kaili had previously raised eyebrows with statements praising working conditions in Qatar, despite reports of the deaths of thousands of migrant workers involved in the construction of stadiums and World Cup facilities. He visited the country’s capital last month.
Belgian prosecutors filed similar charges against three other people: Kaili’s romantic partner, Francesco Giorgi, who works as a parliamentary adviser; former parliamentarian Pier Antonio Panzeri, who currently runs a non-profit organization; and an Italian whose identity has not been released.
Kaili’s father, Alexandros, and Luca Visentini, the new general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, were also arrested in the investigation but have since been released.
How did the European Parliament react?
The President of the Parliament, Roberta Metsola, RECOMMENDED colleagues, that the European institution and democracy in general are “under attack”. He also promised an internal investigation and reforms to ensure transparency.
Parliament also voted to recall Kaili as one of the body’s 14 vice-presidents.
Kaili still holds her MEP title.
Kaili was forced to leave the Greek PASOK party and the Socialists and Democrats group in the European Parliament.
Parliament also canceled a vote on the Qatari visa bill.
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