EU corruption scandal
After finding a “suitcase full of money”: EU politician Kaili blames unknown third parties
Gambled high, fell low: the Greek politician Eva Kaili
© Eurokinissi / Imago Images
It’s the hot topic in Brussels: Eva Kaili, the deposed Vice President of the European Parliament, is suspected of having accepted large amounts of bribes from Qatar. Now the Greek politician is blaming third parties.
The accusation is serious: the Belgian public prosecutor suspects that several EU officials have accepted bribes from the Gulf Emirate of Qatar. At the forefront: Eva Kaili, the former Vice President of the European Parliament.
Now police in Brussels have released photos of cash found during raids at various locations, including parliament offices and 19 homes. A source close to the investigation said they had found around €1.5 million, part in a suitcase in a hotel room.
But the EU politician suspected of corruption rejects the blame. The large amount of cash in her Brussels apartment belonged neither to her nor to her partner, but to a third party. This is what Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, one of her lawyers, told the Greek TV channel on Wednesday evening “Skai“.
According to the lawyer, Eva Kaili wants to plead not guilty
“Ms. Kaili asked her partner what the money was,” said Dimitrakopoulos. The partner replied that the money belonged to someone else. “Following this, Ms. Kaili said she would not allow funds belonging to anyone else to be kept in the shared apartment.” For this reason, Kaili’s father took the bag with money and made his way to a hotel, where the unnamed recipient should have turned up.
According to the information, Kaili wants to plead not guilty. 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 said. You give money if you get something in return. Ms. Kaili, however, only implemented the policies of the EU Parliament, he told the Open TV channel on Wednesday evening.
The EU politician initially remains in prison. A decision on further detention was not made on Wednesday. The Belgian public prosecutor announced that the appointment had been postponed to Thursday next week.
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Decision on further pre-trial detention postponed
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.
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 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.
On Sunday, however, an investigating judge issued an arrest warrant against Kaili and the three others. They are accused of involvement in a criminal organization, money laundering and corruption.