A year after Qatargate, a corruption scandal that rocked the European Parliament, Belgium's probe seems far from resolution. The country's Chief Federal prosecutor insists that the investigation is moving ahead but has expressed concern over the constant leaks and enormous pressure in the case.

Qatargate: A year after a political scandal roiled EU, what has changed?

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

After the scandal over alleged Qatari and Morrocoo influence peddling, the European Parliament will disclose measures to clamp down on corruption.&nbsp;

On Thursday, Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, presented an anti-corruption package with 14 measures to prevent the repetition of a bribery scam like the one that put vice-President Eva Kaili behind bars.&nbsp;

A key proposal was a cooling-off period for former MEPs when they must not take up any immediate lobbying jobs. She also focused on the ban on friendship groups, used as a backdoor entry into lobbying the European Parliament via friendly MEPs by foreign states.&nbsp;

Also Read|&nbsp;<a href="www.wionews.com/world/uk-records-highest-ever-average-annual-temperature-amid-climate-crisis-549752">UK records highest-ever average annual temperature amid climate crisis</a>

Romanian MEP Cristian Silviu Busoi chaired the EU-Qatar friendship group. However, the group was inoperative between 2019 to 2021, given that Busoi took up the chairmanship of the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. His office has denied all bribery allegations against Busoi during his years as the chairman.&nbsp;

Liberal Spanish MEP and Busoi's successor, José Ramón Bauzá Díaz, claimed that there were no officials events of give and take in the name of friendship groups. However, he suspended the EU-Qatar friendship group on December 12, 2022.&nbsp;

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Furthermore, Metsola's strategy involves strengthening the policies for lobby meetings publications, obliging all MEPs to follow when planned meetings link to European Parliament decisions. She demanded more transparency from the MEPs, especially about income and financial assets.&nbsp;

Van Hulten, Director of Transparency International of the EU, said, "These proposals are a big step in the right direction. They contain some long overdue reforms we and others have been campaigning for many years." But he has also cited certain drawbacks.&nbsp;

"The Parliament continues to rely entirely on self-enforcement of the rules. We know that doesn't work," he said. So far, the self-policing committee consisting of five MEPs, known as the Advisory Committee on the Conduct of Members, has taken no strict action. An independent third perspective would be a better solution for monitoring corruption, according to Van Hulten.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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After the scandal over alleged Qatari and Morrocoo influence peddling, the European Parliament will disclose measures to clamp down on corruption. On Thursday, Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, presented an anti-corruption package with 14 measures to prevent the repetition of a bribery scam like the one that put vice-President Eva Kaili behind bars.

After the scandal over alleged Qatari and Morrocoo influence peddling, the European Parliament will disclose measures to clamp down on corruption. On Thursday, Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, presented an anti-corruption package with 14 measures to prevent the repetition of a bribery scam like the one that put vice-President Eva Kaili behind bars. A key proposal was a cooling-off period for former MEPs when they must not take up any immediate lobbying jobs. She also focused on the ban on friendship groups, used as a backdoor entry into lobbying the European Parliament via friendly MEPs by foreign states. Also Read| UK records highest-ever average annual temperature amid climate crisis Romanian MEP Cristian Silviu Busoi chaired the EU-Qatar friendship group. However, the group was inoperative between 2019 to 2021, given that Busoi took up the chairmanship of the European Parliament's Committee on Industry, Research and Energy. His office has denied all bribery allegations against Busoi during his years as the chairman. Liberal Spanish MEP and Busoi's successor, José Ramón Bauzá Díaz, claimed that there were no officials events of give and take in the name of friendship groups. However, he suspended the EU-Qatar friendship group on December 12, 2022. Watch| XBB.1.5: New Covid subvariant emergences in United States Furthermore, Metsola's strategy involves strengthening the policies for lobby meetings publications, obliging all MEPs to follow when planned meetings link to European Parliament decisions. She demanded more transparency from the MEPs, especially about income and financial assets. Van Hulten, Director of Transparency International of the EU, said, "These proposals are a big step in the right direction. They contain some long overdue reforms we and others have been campaigning for many years." But he has also cited certain drawbacks. "The Parliament continues to rely entirely on self-enforcement of the rules. We know that doesn't work," he said. So far, the self-policing committee consisting of five MEPs, known as the Advisory Committee on the Conduct of Members, has taken no strict action. An independent third perspective would be a better solution for monitoring corruption, according to Van Hulten. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

EU Parliament head proposes 14-point anti-corruption plan in response to Qatargate scandal

Morocco tried to bribe Members of European Parliament&nbsp;(MEPs) to obtain information about a European parliament investigation into its use of Pegasus spyware, authorities probing <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/qatargate-italian-politician-panzeri-emerges-as-kingpin-as-raids-discover-cash-luxury-watches-543982">"Qatargate"</a> scandal involving corrupt practices by the European parliament members, said on Friday.

What is Morocco accused of?

According to a report in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Morocco's intelligence&nbsp; agency, Directorate of Territorial Surveillance,&nbsp;allegedly made payments after it was accused of using Pegasus spyware to spy on President Emmanuel Macron and French government ministers.

WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/qatar-condemns-eu-corruption-probe-as-qatari-diplomat-says-allegations-may-hamper-ties-544429">Qatar condemns EU corruption probe as Qatari diplomat says allegations may hamper ties</a>

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The claims further add to the "Qatargate" scandal in which four people, including now-suspended vice president of European Parliament Eva Kaili, have been arrested for allegedly taking bribes after authorities found hidden stashes of cash in multiple locations in Brussels.

The La Repubblica report cites documents disclosed by Belgian prosecutors which reportedly indicate that the Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino was one of the contacts of the Morrocan intelligence agency.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-meteoric-rise-and-tragic-fall-of-greek-mep-eva-kaili-542915">'Qatargate' scandal: The meteoric rise and tragic fall of Greek MEP Eva Kaili</a>

Another report by Belgian newspaper De Standaard suggests that Pier Antonio Panzeri, a former Member of European Parliament (MEP), allegedly received illicit money as well as benefits from Morocco's government via its ambassador to Poland and another close friend of Panzeri's.

Cozzolino’s parliament assistant, Francesco Giorgi, is among the four people under arrest on suspicion of taking bribes.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-parliaments-corruption-investigation-can-negatively-impact-relations-qatar-544227">EU parliament's corruption investigation can 'negatively' impact relations: Qatar</a>

During the arrests, police found €1.5 million in cash. Cozzolino, who has denied all wrongdoing and is not officially under investigation, said this week he was frustrated with continuing media reports of his involvement in the scandal and wanted to meet Belgian prosecutors to clear his name.

The Belgian prosecutors’ report said Morocco’s moles on the commission "were more than prudent and worked in a discrete way, avoiding appearing too pro-Moroccan at the parliament", The Times reported.&nbsp;

They also communicated with each other in code, the report stated.

Morocco has yet to deny allegations of involvement in the scandal. 
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Morocco tried to bribe Members of European Parliament (MEPs) to obtain information about a European parliament investigation into its use of Pegasus spyware, authorities probing "Qatargate" scandal involving corrupt practices by the European parliament members, said on Friday.

Morocco tried to bribe Members of European Parliament (MEPs) to obtain information about a European parliament investigation into its use of Pegasus spyware, authorities probing "Qatargate" scandal involving corrupt practices by the European parliament members, said on Friday. What is Morocco accused of? According to a report in the Italian newspaper La Repubblica, Morocco's intelligence agency, Directorate of Territorial Surveillance, allegedly made payments after it was accused of using Pegasus spyware to spy on President Emmanuel Macron and French government ministers. WATCH | Qatar condemns EU corruption probe as Qatari diplomat says allegations may hamper ties × The claims further add to the "Qatargate" scandal in which four people, including now-suspended vice president of European Parliament Eva Kaili, have been arrested for allegedly taking bribes after authorities found hidden stashes of cash in multiple locations in Brussels. The La Repubblica report cites documents disclosed by Belgian prosecutors which reportedly indicate that the Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino was one of the contacts of the Morrocan intelligence agency. ALSO READ | 'Qatargate' scandal: The meteoric rise and tragic fall of Greek MEP Eva Kaili Another report by Belgian newspaper De Standaard suggests that Pier Antonio Panzeri, a former Member of European Parliament (MEP), allegedly received illicit money as well as benefits from Morocco's government via its ambassador to Poland and another close friend of Panzeri's. Cozzolino’s parliament assistant, Francesco Giorgi, is among the four people under arrest on suspicion of taking bribes. ALSO READ | EU parliament's corruption investigation can 'negatively' impact relations: Qatar During the arrests, police found €1.5 million in cash. Cozzolino, who has denied all wrongdoing and is not officially under investigation, said this week he was frustrated with continuing media reports of his involvement in the scandal and wanted to meet Belgian prosecutors to clear his name. The Belgian prosecutors’ report said Morocco’s moles on the commission "were more than prudent and worked in a discrete way, avoiding appearing too pro-Moroccan at the parliament", The Times reported. They also communicated with each other in code, the report stated. Morocco has yet to deny allegations of involvement in the scandal. 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.

Morocco ‘tried to bribe’ members of European Parliament for Pegasus probe details

Italian union's head-turned-politician Pier Antonio Panzeri has been identified as the kingpin of the Qatar bribery scandal in the international investigation that rocked the EU parliament.&nbsp;Qatar and Morocco are facing allegations of bribing EU legislators to control policy and taking help from a network of non-governmental organisations to conceal the corrupt dealings.

Panzeri, who was the European parliament's socialist member between 2004 and 2019, is among the four people who face charges of money laundering, corruption and being involved in a criminal group after €600,000 in cash was seized by the police at his residence in Brussels.

ALSO READ| <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/qatar-linked-scandal-that-has-rocked-european-parliament-what-we-know-so-far-542605">Qatar-linked corruption scandal has rocked European Parliament: What we know so far</a>

Meanwhile, another suitcase with cash amounting to €600,000 was found in possession of Greek MEP Eva Kaili's father, which she claimed belonged to Panzeri.

During the raid at the Italian politician's homes in Lombardy, the prosecutors seized luxury watches and €17,000 in cash. The investigation into the bribery scandal has shaken the establishment of Brussels to the core as it continues to expose the involvement of non-governmental organisations, foreign powers and legislators.&nbsp;

After Panzeri left the parliament in 2019, he established a human rights group called Fight Impunity in Brussels. With the help of contacts Panzeri had built when he was the chairperson of a parliament group in charge of relations with Morocco, along with other Arab nations, Fight Impunity easily became an important organisation in a chamber filled with 13,000 registered lobbyists, along with other unregistered lobbyists competing for influence.&nbsp;

Transparency International's Report

Meanwhile, the anti-corruption group Transparency International EU (TI EU) said that an independent ethics regulator is needed in the EU institutions.

It further noted that the scandal is “egregious” but not the only incident that has taken place in an institution labelled by a “culture of impunity”.

Transparency International's director MEP Michiel van Hulten said: “Over many decades, the parliament has allowed a culture of impunity to develop, with a combination of lax financial rules and controls and a complete lack of independent (or indeed any) ethics oversight.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if there was more undue influence behind the scenes, sometimes involving money being passed over the table,” he said.

WATCH| Qatar 'corruption scandal' rocks European parliament, Vice President Eva Kaili arrested

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In its report, TI EU analysed around 28,000 lobby meetings that the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) had published between June 2019 and July 2022.

In this period, the publication system of the Parliament was used by only half of the MEPs. The overall meeting publication decreased from 9,700 meetings in the first year to 9,300 in the last year.

In the report, it was highlighted that there are only some member states who have a large number of MEPs whose single meetings have been published in three years, Luxembourg with 100%, Sweden with 95% and Denmark with 93% being the top three.

However, some EU members have been lagging badly which includes Latvia 25%, Cyprus 17% and Greece 10%. A similar gap in transparency is evident in the analysis of political groups.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Italian union's head-turned-politician Pier Antonio Panzeri has been identified as the kingpin of the Qatar bribery scandal in the international investigation that rocked the EU parliament.

Italian union's head-turned-politician Pier Antonio Panzeri has been identified as the kingpin of the Qatar bribery scandal in the international investigation that rocked the EU parliament. Qatar and Morocco are facing allegations of bribing EU legislators to control policy and taking help from a network of non-governmental organisations to conceal the corrupt dealings. Panzeri, who was the European parliament's socialist member between 2004 and 2019, is among the four people who face charges of money laundering, corruption and being involved in a criminal group after €600,000 in cash was seized by the police at his residence in Brussels. ALSO READ| Qatar-linked corruption scandal has rocked European Parliament: What we know so far Meanwhile, another suitcase with cash amounting to €600,000 was found in possession of Greek MEP Eva Kaili's father, which she claimed belonged to Panzeri. During the raid at the Italian politician's homes in Lombardy, the prosecutors seized luxury watches and €17,000 in cash. The investigation into the bribery scandal has shaken the establishment of Brussels to the core as it continues to expose the involvement of non-governmental organisations, foreign powers and legislators. After Panzeri left the parliament in 2019, he established a human rights group called Fight Impunity in Brussels. With the help of contacts Panzeri had built when he was the chairperson of a parliament group in charge of relations with Morocco, along with other Arab nations, Fight Impunity easily became an important organisation in a chamber filled with 13,000 registered lobbyists, along with other unregistered lobbyists competing for influence. Transparency International's Report Meanwhile, the anti-corruption group Transparency International EU (TI EU) said that an independent ethics regulator is needed in the EU institutions. It further noted that the scandal is “egregious” but not the only incident that has taken place in an institution labelled by a “culture of impunity”. Transparency International's director MEP Michiel van Hulten said: “Over many decades, the parliament has allowed a culture of impunity to develop, with a combination of lax financial rules and controls and a complete lack of independent (or indeed any) ethics oversight.” “I wouldn’t be surprised if there was more undue influence behind the scenes, sometimes involving money being passed over the table,” he said. WATCH| Qatar 'corruption scandal' rocks European parliament, Vice President Eva Kaili arrested In its report, TI EU analysed around 28,000 lobby meetings that the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) had published between June 2019 and July 2022. In this period, the publication system of the Parliament was used by only half of the MEPs. The overall meeting publication decreased from 9,700 meetings in the first year to 9,300 in the last year. In the report, it was highlighted that there are only some member states who have a large number of MEPs whose single meetings have been published in three years, Luxembourg with 100%, Sweden with 95% and Denmark with 93% being the top three. However, some EU members have been lagging badly which includes Latvia 25%, Cyprus 17% and Greece 10%. A similar gap in transparency is evident in the analysis of political groups. (With inputs from agencies)

Qatargate: Italian politician Panzeri emerges kingpin after cash, luxury watches seized in raids

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