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Belgian MEP Tarabella
Photo: JOHANNA GERON / REUTERS
The investigations into the »Qatargate« affair in the European Parliament are progressing.
On Friday morning, Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella was arrested in his home town of Anthisnes in the east of the country - "for the purpose of questioning," according to the Brussels public prosecutor's office.
In addition to his work in the EU Parliament, Tarabella is the mayor of Anthisnes in eastern Belgium.
Several offices in the local community center were now searched.
In addition, the investigators opened a safe deposit box in nearby Liège, which is said to belong to Tarabella.
For the time being, nothing was known about the content stored there.
Tarabella is said to have received tens of thousands of euros in paper bags
The Belgian social democrat is suspected of being involved in the scandal involving countries like Qatar and Morocco influencing decisions in the European Parliament.
Parliament lifted Tarabella's immunity in early February.
According to the investigators' request, Pier Antonio Panzeri, the alleged head of the corruption network, has heavily incriminated Tarabella.
Panzeri said in an interrogation on December 10 that he had given him a paper bag with around 20,000 euros every few months, most recently about six months ago.
Tarabella received a total of 120,000 to 140,000 euros from him in order to defend "certain positions" in the interests of Qatar in parliament.
Tarabella denies the allegations.
In addition to Panzeri, three other accused are in custody: Eva Kaili, former Vice President of the European Parliament, her partner Francesco Giorgi and Niccolò Figà-Talamanca, head of the non-governmental organization "No Peace Without Justice".
The arrest of Tarabella will probably not be the last step in the affair.
According to the public prosecutor's office, the Italian ex-MP Panzeri has accepted a leniency program and has undertaken to provide 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 can hope for a reduced prison sentence and has to pay a fine.
In addition, his assets are to be confiscated.
