Corruption scandal in the EU Parliament: Judiciary Committee wants to withdraw immunity from two more MEPs

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Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella: Private rooms searched

Photo: VALERIA MONGELLI / AFP

In the corruption scandal in the European Parliament, two other MEPs are about to lose their immunity.

The Judiciary Committee voted unanimously in Brussels on Tuesday to allow criminal investigations into Belgian MP Marc Tarabella and Italian Andrea Cozzolino.

Finally, the plenary session of the European Parliament will decide on Thursday.

The scandal is about alleged influence on political decisions of the European Parliament - Qatar and Morocco in particular are suspected of having bought influence.

A total of 1.5 million euros in cash was seized.

Some of the accused apparently hoarded suitcases full of money in private apartments.

(Read what's in the investigation files here.)

The Belgian judiciary had requested that the immunity of the two Social Democrats Tarabella and Cozzolino be lifted.

Tarabella is suspected of receiving perks from the Gulf state of Qatar.

Cozzolino is also said to have been influenced by Morocco.

The two MPs deny the allegations.

Investigators also searched Tarabella's private rooms during raids in December.

Until recently, Francesco Giorgi worked for Cozzolino – he is one of the main suspects in the corruption scandal.

Key witness Panzeri

Giorgi is in custody alongside three other suspects.

Among them is his partner, the deposed Vice President of Parliament Eva Kaili.

The Belgian judiciary accuses them of "corruption", "membership of a criminal organization" and "money laundering".

more on the subject

• EU corruption scandal involving Eva Kaili: Secret meeting in Suite 412

• Corruption scandal: Transparency takes on MEPsBy Markus Becker, Brussels

Pier Antonio Panzeri is considered the key figure in the affair.

The Italian ex-MP is said to be the head of the corruption network, according to the public prosecutor's office he has accepted a leniency program and announced a comprehensive statement.

According to Eva Kaili's lawyer Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, Panzeri will soon incriminate MPs from France, Belgium and Italy - and for the first time some from Germany.

According to the public prosecutor, Panzeri has undertaken to provide the investigators with comprehensive insights into the criminal structures.

According to the information, this includes the names of those who were bribed, the promised benefits and financial arrangements with other countries.

In return, he only has to spend a short time in prison and pay a fine.

In addition, his assets are to be confiscated.

slu/AFP