The immunity of two deputies in EP was lifted

The European Parliament (EP) has decided to lift the immunity of the deputies Andrea Cozzolino and Marc Tarabella, mentioned in the investigation for corruption.

In the vote held at the EP General Assembly, the deputies voted to lift the immunity of Cozzolino and Tarabella. The process will be completed once the decision is officially communicated to the EP members and the Belgian authorities.

At the request of the Belgian courts, last month the process of lifting the immunity of Cozzolino and Tarabella began. On January 31, the EP Committee on Legal Affairs decided unanimously to lift their immunity.

According to the information reflected in the parliament’s report on the two deputies, Belgian prosecutors accuse Cozzolino of receiving money in exchange for blocking EP decisions in the interest of non-EU countries. Prosecutors allege that Cozzolino was part of a deal that included collaborating with others in parliament to protect the interests of foreign states after 2019.

Tarabella is accused of assuming certain positions in the EP for the benefit of a third country in exchange for cash. Referring to the statements of the suspects, the report includes the accusation that Tarabella received a total of 120,000 to 140,000 euros in cash on various occasions within this framework. Both legislators deny the accusations.

CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION

In the framework of the investigation for corruption, bribery and money laundering carried out by the Belgian authorities, in December 2022 searches were carried out at numerous points, 1.5 million euros in cash were seized and 4 people were arrested.

The detainees were announced to be Greek MEP Eva Kaili, whose EP vice-president was sacked, Italian former EP MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri, Kaili’s boyfriend Francesco Giorgi, who was working as an EP assistant, and Niccolo Figa-Talamanca, director of the non-governmental organization that works for the rule of law.

Giorgi was alleged to have said in his statement that two MEPs, Andrea Cozzolino and Marc Tarabella, received money from Panzeri. The president of the EP, Roberta Metsola, started the process to lift the immunity of Cozzolino and Tarabella.

These people were alleged to have accepted bribes from a Gulf country to influence the economic and political decisions of the European Parliament. Qatar, which was mentioned in the news on the matter, denied the allegations. (AA)