<p>The European Parliament on Thursday waived the immunity from prosecution of two lawmakers accused in a bribery scandal linked to Qatar and Morocco. They are currently being probed by Belgian investigators, who requested to question them.&nbsp;Voting took place in the European Parliament to revoke the prosecution protection of Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella and Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino.&nbsp;</p>

<p>In the voting by a show of hands, the proposal to lift the immunity was approved by the assembly. Tarabella gave himself his assent in the chamber. He told reporters that he would cooperate with the Belgian authorities in the investigation and claimed that he was innocent.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/austria-expels-four-russian-diplomats-asks-them-to-leave-within-one-week-558277">Austria expels four Russian diplomats, asks them to leave within one week</a>&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>Tarabella said, "I repeat that I am happy that the lifting of my parliamentary immunity took place. I just voted it. Secondly, I recall that I am innocent in this case."&nbsp;</p>

<p>"It is primarily to the judicial authorities that I will deliver information relating to the questions they will ask me. Thank you for understanding me. Thank you for doing your job," he added.&nbsp;</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/wion-climate-tracker-european-solar-wind-surpass-gas-power-for-the-first-time-558308/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The Belgian authorities have four people in custody as part of their probe and they asked questions about Tarabella and Cozzolino.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Those in Belgian custody include Greek member of the European Parliament Eva Kaili, Italian former member of the European Parliament (MEP) Pier Antonio Panzeri, and two more.&nbsp;</p>

<p>They face charges of corruption, and money laundering concerning alleged payments from Qatar and Morocco.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With&nbsp;inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


The European Parliament on Thursday waived the immunity from prosecution of two lawmakers accused in a bribery scandal linked to Qatar and Morocco. They are currently being probed by Belgian investigators, who requested to question them.

The European Parliament on Thursday waived the immunity from prosecution of two lawmakers accused in a bribery scandal linked to Qatar and Morocco. They are currently being probed by Belgian investigators, who requested to question them. Voting took place in the European Parliament to revoke the prosecution protection of Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella and Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino. In the voting by a show of hands, the proposal to lift the immunity was approved by the assembly. Tarabella gave himself his assent in the chamber. He told reporters that he would cooperate with the Belgian authorities in the investigation and claimed that he was innocent. ALSO READ | Austria expels four Russian diplomats, asks them to leave within one week Tarabella said, "I repeat that I am happy that the lifting of my parliamentary immunity took place. I just voted it. Secondly, I recall that I am innocent in this case." "It is primarily to the judicial authorities that I will deliver information relating to the questions they will ask me. Thank you for understanding me. Thank you for doing your job," he added. × The Belgian authorities have four people in custody as part of their probe and they asked questions about Tarabella and Cozzolino. Those in Belgian custody include Greek member of the European Parliament Eva Kaili, Italian former member of the European Parliament (MEP) Pier Antonio Panzeri, and two more. They face charges of corruption, and money laundering concerning alleged payments from Qatar and Morocco. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

EU Parliament waives immunity from prosecution of two lawmakers in bribery scam probe

<p>The formal procedure to lift the immunity of two more MEPs suspected of being involved in the Qatar corruption scandal has been initiated by the European Parliament. Socialist members Marc Tarabella from Belgium and Andrea Cozzolino from Italy are the ones in the firing line for whom European Parliament President Roberta Metsola started the process in Strasbourg on Monday.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"I have received requests from the competent authorities in Belgium for the parliamentary immunities of Mr. Andrea Cozzolino and Mr. Marc Tarabella to be waived. These requests have been referred to the Committee on Legal Affairs," she told MEPs.</p>

<p>Cozzolino used to be the chair of the parliament’s delegation working with the Maghreb region till a few days back. The group includes Morocco, which is one of the countries allegedly involved in the scandal as part of which Qatar and Morocco apparently offered cash to some MEPs to influence decision-making in the EU.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/qatar-corruption-scandal-eu-parliament-to-lift-immunity-of-two-meps-548934">Qatar corruption scandal: EU parliament to lift immunity of two MEPs</a></p>

<p>Meanwhile, Tarabella was once the vice-chair of the delegation responsible for Arab Peninsula relations, including with Qatar. Recently it was revealed that he failed to declare a trip to Qatar in 2020</p>

<p>Both of them have denied any wrongdoing in the scandal.</p>

<p>It was also just revealed that Tarabella travelled to Qatar in 2020 and failed to declare the trip which was actually paid for by Qatar, a breach of European Parliament's rules.</p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/probe-widens-into-eu-corruption-scandal-immunity-reviewed-of-2-meps-553311/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>The two MEPs will now get a chance to make their case following which the issue will go to a final vote in February by all lawmakers and will pass in all likelihood.</p>

<p>If the process is successful, the Belgian authorities will be able to question the two suspects and bring any charges against them.</p>

<p>The matter, dubbed as Qatargate, gained limelight when Greek MEP Eva Kaili was accused of accepting large sums of money to push policy making in favour of Doha and Morocco in the European Parliament. She and three other MEPs have been arrested in the matter. Kaili was suspended as Vice-President of the EU Parliament after being charged.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>WATCH WION LIVE HERE</strong></p>

<p><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="350" loading="”lazy”" src="https://www.wionews.com/live-tv/embed?autoplay=1&amp;mute=1" width="100%"></iframe></p>

<p>You can <strong>now write for wionews.com</strong> and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/content-contribution-registration-form">here</a>.</strong></p>


The formal procedure to lift the immunity of two more MEPs suspected of being involved in the Qatar corruption scandal has been initiated by the European Parliament.

The formal procedure to lift the immunity of two more MEPs suspected of being involved in the Qatar corruption scandal has been initiated by the European Parliament. Socialist members Marc Tarabella from Belgium and Andrea Cozzolino from Italy are the ones in the firing line for whom European Parliament President Roberta Metsola started the process in Strasbourg on Monday. "I have received requests from the competent authorities in Belgium for the parliamentary immunities of Mr. Andrea Cozzolino and Mr. Marc Tarabella to be waived. These requests have been referred to the Committee on Legal Affairs," she told MEPs. Cozzolino used to be the chair of the parliament’s delegation working with the Maghreb region till a few days back. The group includes Morocco, which is one of the countries allegedly involved in the scandal as part of which Qatar and Morocco apparently offered cash to some MEPs to influence decision-making in the EU. Also Read | Qatar corruption scandal: EU parliament to lift immunity of two MEPs Meanwhile, Tarabella was once the vice-chair of the delegation responsible for Arab Peninsula relations, including with Qatar. Recently it was revealed that he failed to declare a trip to Qatar in 2020 Both of them have denied any wrongdoing in the scandal. It was also just revealed that Tarabella travelled to Qatar in 2020 and failed to declare the trip which was actually paid for by Qatar, a breach of European Parliament's rules. × The two MEPs will now get a chance to make their case following which the issue will go to a final vote in February by all lawmakers and will pass in all likelihood. If the process is successful, the Belgian authorities will be able to question the two suspects and bring any charges against them. The matter, dubbed as Qatargate, gained limelight when Greek MEP Eva Kaili was accused of accepting large sums of money to push policy making in favour of Doha and Morocco in the European Parliament. She and three other MEPs have been arrested in the matter. Kaili was suspended as Vice-President of the EU Parliament after being charged. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

EU parliament initiates process to remove immunity of two MEPs

eu-mep-immunity

Eu Mep Immunity, News on Eu Mep Immunity, stories on Eu Mep Immunity, articles on Eu Mep Immunity, Eu Mep Immunity stories at Wion, Eu Mep Immunity news, Eu Mep Immunity latest news

eu mep-immunity

EU Parliament waives immunity from prosecution of two lawmakers in bribery scam probe

EU parliament initiates process to remove immunity of two MEPs