EP vice president, Kaili, arrested on corruption charges

According to reports in Le Soir and Knack, Belgium’s most widely circulated newspapers, the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office raided 16 houses during the day.

As a result, EP Vice-President, EP Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) and member of the Greek opposition party PASOK, Eva Kaili, and 3 other people were arrested.

THERE IS A LAWYER BETWEEN

Among those detained is Pier-Antonio Panzeri, a former Italian S&D deputy and member of the Italian Article One Party. Together with Panzeri, the police confiscated about 600,000 euros in cash.

DESCRIPTION OF THE S&D GROUP

Following the news, S&D Group made the following statement on its website:

“We are shocked by the allegations of corruption in the European institutions. The S&D Group does not tolerate corruption. We support a thorough investigation first. We will fully cooperate with all investigative authorities. In this spirit, we will not comment publicly on the ongoing legal proceedings.”

The group’s statement also said: “Given the seriousness of the allegations, we request the suspension of all general assembly filings and voting with respect to the Gulf countries, in particular visa liberalization and planned visits, until the competent authorities provide relevant information and clarifications”. statements were included.

EXPORTED FROM PASOK

On the other hand, according to Greek media reports, PASOK announced that Kaili was expelled from the party.

“Following the latest events and the investigation by the Belgian authorities into the corruption of European officials, PASOK MP Eva Kaili was expelled from the party by decision of President Nikos Androulakis,” PASOK said in a statement. expressions were used.

In the statement from the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office, it was announced that an unidentified Gulf country was suspected of delivering large sums of cash and offering high-value gifts to strategically placed individuals in the European Parliament for several months to influence the decisions of the European Parliament. .

The statement specifies that in the raids carried out today a total of 600,000 euros in cash, computer equipment and mobile phones have been seized. No AP statement has yet been made. (AA)