The bribery scandal that shook Europe: This is how Eva Kaili was seen

Greek MP Eva Kaili, whose release from prison was decided on a conditional basis in the European Parliament (EP)-related corruption investigation carried out in Belgium, was released today.

The photographs quoted by the British news agency Reuters revealed the moments when Kaili left the prison in a black private car.

Eva Kaili’s lawyer said she was looking forward to seeing the young politician’s 22-month-old baby.

The young politician was overjoyed when Kaili, the former vice-president of the European Parliament, was released from Haren prison in Brussels. Kaili, who was sitting behind her private driver, had said earlier that she wanted to see her 22-month-old baby after she was discharged.

WHAT HAPPENED?

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.

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.

In some 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. (AGENCIES)