Belgian Prosecutors Seek to Lift Immunity of Italian MEPs in Qatargate Investigation
On Tuesday, Belgian prosecutors made a significant move by requesting the revocation of immunity for two Italian Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), Elisabetta Gualmini and Alessandra Moretti, who are both members of the Democratic Party. This request is linked to their alleged involvement in the ongoing Qatargate scandal, which centers around suspected corruption within the European Parliament tied to the influences of specific countries, notably Qatar and Morocco.
The news was initially reported by the Belgian newspaper Le Soir and has been corroborated by various sources within the parliamentary community interviewed by several Italian media outlets. The formal request to lift the immunity of Gualmini and Moretti was submitted to the Bureau of the European Parliament, with an announcement expected during the plenary session scheduled for March 10. Following this, the matter will be reviewed by the Parliament's legal affairs committee (JURI).
The Qatargate investigation originated on December 10, three years ago, when Belgian authorities arrested Eva Kaili, one of the then Vice Presidents of the European Parliament. The inquiry later extended to former Italian MEP Antonio Panzeri, who allegedly led a network comprising European parliamentarians, assistants, and officials. This group is accused of working to promote the interests of countries outside the European Union, specifically Qatar and Morocco, in exchange for monetary compensation.
As the investigation unfolds, it casts a shadow over the integrity of the European Parliament, highlighting the potential for external influences to corrupt legislative processes. The outcomes of these developments may lead to significant political ramifications both at the national and European levels. Observers are now waiting for further announcements and the actions of the JURI committee in response to the Belgian Prosecutor's request.
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