One person freed in AP-linked corruption investigation

According to the statement from the prosecutor’s office carrying out the investigation, Giorgi, the partner of the Greek EP member Eva Kaili, who is still in custody, appeared before the judge today.

The prosecution decided to release Giorgi with electronic handcuffs.

CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION

As part of the investigation carried out by the Belgian authorities, in December 2022 searches were carried out at many 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. Figa-Talamanca was released later.

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. Cozzolino and Tarabella, whose immunity was lifted on February 2, were arrested a week later.

It was alleged that these individuals 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.

In the subsequent news, it was claimed that Morocco bribed these people as well and that Moroccan intelligence and the Moroccan ambassador in Warsaw, Abderrahim Atmoun, met with the suspects.