Corruption scandal involving Eva Kaili: cash in a Brussels apartment is said to have belonged to a third party

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Belgian police photos show the cash found

Photo: HANDOUT/AFP

EU politician Eva Kaili, who is at the center of corruption investigations, has said the large amount of cash in her Brussels home belonged neither to her nor to her partner, but to a third party.

Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, one of her lawyers, told Greek TV channel Skai.

"Mrs. Kaili asked her partner what the money was," said Dimitrakopoulos.

The partner replied that the money belonged to someone else.

"Then Ms. Kaili said she didn't allow money that belonged to someone else to be kept in the shared apartment." For this reason, Kaili's father took the bag with money and went to a hotel , where the receiver should have appeared.

Dimitrakopoulos did not say who exactly the sums should have belonged to.

The Belgian judiciary has been investigating suspected corruption, money laundering and foreign influence in the vicinity of the European Parliament for months.

It is said that the Gulf Emirate of Qatar, which is currently hosting the soccer World Cup, tried to influence political decisions with gifts of money and goods.

Since Friday, the Belgian judiciary has arrested six suspects, two of whom are now free.

During house searches of several suspects, the Belgian police in the Brussels region have now confiscated almost 1.5 million euros.

On Wednesday, she posted photos on Twitter showing, among other things, a trolley case and briefcase full of banknotes and several stacks of banknotes.

According to the information, Kaili wants to plead not guilty in the upcoming trial.

Dimitrakopoulos revealed part of the strategy in an interview with another Greek broadcaster: "Countries like Qatar, Kuwait or Oman had no reason to give Ms. Kaili money because she had nothing to offer them," he told the broadcaster, according to the dpa news agency OpenTV.

You give money if you get something in return.

Ms. Kaili, however, merely implemented the policies of the EU Parliament, Dimitrakopoulos continued.

Kaili initially still in custody – decision postponed

On Sunday, an investigating magistrate issued an arrest warrant for Kaili and three other suspects.

They are accused of involvement in a criminal organization, money laundering and corruption.

(Read a portrait of Kaili here.)

Originally, a decision should be made on further custody of Kailis this Wednesday.

The Belgian public prosecutor announced that the appointment had been postponed to Thursday next week.

Kaili will therefore remain in prison for the time being.

The three other suspects, on the other hand, were heard in the Brussels Palace of Justice.

Two of them have to remain in prison for the time being following a decision by the Council Chamber.

The prosecutor's office said the detention had been confirmed against her.

A third suspect remains "also in custody, but on the condition that he wears an electronic tag."

The accused can leave the prison, but is obliged to stay permanently at one address, for example under house arrest.

According to the public prosecutor's office, the two suspects who remain in prison are FG and PP. Behind them are Kaili's partner, who works as an assistant to a member of the European Parliament, and the former Social Democratic MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri.

You can still appeal the decisions.

According to her lawyer André Risopoulos, the reason for the postponement of the Kaili hearing is a strike in the prison where the Greek is being held.

That's why she couldn't be brought to court, he told the Belgian newspaper L'Echo, according to the dpa news agency.

Prosecutors said Kaili had requested an adjournment and would now be heard on December 22.

Kaili has since been removed as Vice President of the European Parliament.

Her Greek Pasok party and the Social Democratic group in the European Parliament excluded her.

kko/dpa