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;

"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 |&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>

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.

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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.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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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

France President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday defended his decision to visit Qatar to support France's World Cup team amid the ongoing corruption scandal linking the Gulf monarchy to the European Parliament. Macron was in Qatar on Wednesday night to witness France taking on Morocco and saw it make through to the finals. He later flew to Brussels overnight to attend an EU summit in Brussels.

"I'm totally comfortable with it," Macron told reporters when asked about the trip. "Four years ago, I backed the French team in Russia, and I'm backing them in Qatar."

Macron plans to return to Qatar on Sunday to watch France play Argentina in the World Cup final.&nbsp;

He also met with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani at the stadium.&nbsp;

He later visited Morocco's dressing room as well. He told Sofyan Amrabat that he has been the best midfielder in the whole FIFA 2022 tournament.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/watch-emmanuel-macron-visited-moroccos-dressing-room-called-sofyan-best-midfielder-at-the-fifa-wc-543169">Emmanuel Macron visited Morocco's dressing room after semi-final</a>

Notably, the World Cup host nation finds itself embroiled in a corruption scandal linked to the European Union. Investigators are probing whether Doha paid ministers in the Parliament to influence policy making and support.&nbsp;

Belgian prosecutors have charged Eva Kaili, a Greek member, and three others for accepting bribes from Qatar in order to influence EU policymaking. Both Qatar and Kaili have denied any wrongdoing. The Belgian police seized 1.5 million euros in cash. The police posted a picture of the 1.5 million euros in cash recovered in raids from last Friday to Monday.

Much before the coveted tournament even started, Qatar's labour laws were under scrutiny amid allegations that migrant workers were mistreated and put in danger on building sites.&nbsp;

The European Parliament is set to vote on a motion Thursday that could bar Qatari lobbyists from its premises. President Roberta Metsola has called the alleged bribes to MEPs an attack on Europe's democracy.

(With inputs from agencies)

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France President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday defended his decision to visit Qatar to support France's World Cup team amid the ongoing corruption scandal linking the Gulf monarchy to the European Parliament.

France President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday defended his decision to visit Qatar to support France's World Cup team amid the ongoing corruption scandal linking the Gulf monarchy to the European Parliament. Macron was in Qatar on Wednesday night to witness France taking on Morocco and saw it make through to the finals. He later flew to Brussels overnight to attend an EU summit in Brussels. "I'm totally comfortable with it," Macron told reporters when asked about the trip. "Four years ago, I backed the French team in Russia, and I'm backing them in Qatar." Macron plans to return to Qatar on Sunday to watch France play Argentina in the World Cup final. He also met with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani at the stadium. He later visited Morocco's dressing room as well. He told Sofyan Amrabat that he has been the best midfielder in the whole FIFA 2022 tournament. Also Read | Emmanuel Macron visited Morocco's dressing room after semi-final Notably, the World Cup host nation finds itself embroiled in a corruption scandal linked to the European Union. Investigators are probing whether Doha paid ministers in the Parliament to influence policy making and support. Belgian prosecutors have charged Eva Kaili, a Greek member, and three others for accepting bribes from Qatar in order to influence EU policymaking. Both Qatar and Kaili have denied any wrongdoing. The Belgian police seized 1.5 million euros in cash. The police posted a picture of the 1.5 million euros in cash recovered in raids from last Friday to Monday. Much before the coveted tournament even started, Qatar's labour laws were under scrutiny amid allegations that migrant workers were mistreated and put in danger on building sites. The European Parliament is set to vote on a motion Thursday that could bar Qatari lobbyists from its premises. President Roberta Metsola has called the alleged bribes to MEPs an attack on Europe's democracy. (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.

Emmanuel Macron defends Qatar World Cup visit amid EU-Qatar corruption scandal

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EU parliament initiates process to remove immunity of two MEPs

Emmanuel Macron defends Qatar World Cup visit amid EU-Qatar corruption scandal