As of: 04/12/2023 7:06 p.m
She is the most prominent suspect in the EU corruption scandal: the former Vice President of the EU Parliament, Eva Kaili. Now the Greek is allowed to leave prison under certain conditions.
In the EU corruption scandal, the former Vice President of the European Parliament, Eva Kaili, has been released from prison after four months. As the Brussels public prosecutor announced, she may spend her further detention in house arrest. The 44-year-old is monitored with an electronic ankle bracelet.
Kaili, her partner and other suspects were arrested in early December as part of the investigation into the EU corruption scandal. Shortly thereafter, the European Parliament removed Kaili as Vice President. She also lost the parliamentary seat of her socialist party Pasok in Greece.
Kaili is said to have accepted a bribe
The bribery scandal is about alleged influence on decisions of the European Parliament by the governments of Qatar and Morocco. Prosecutors accuse Kaili and the other suspects of corruption, money laundering and membership in a criminal organization.
Kaili is said to have accepted gifts and bribes from Qatar. Investigators found “pockets full of cash” on the politician. A total of almost 1.5 million euros was seized during the investigations.
All suspects now under house arrest
Kaili is the latest of the five suspects to be paroled from prison. The alleged mastermind, Antonio Panzeri, was allowed to go home last week. He had signed an agreement with the public prosecutor’s office in which he promised comprehensive cooperation in clarifying the scandal.
Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella was released on house arrest yesterday. Kaili’s partner Francesco Giorgi has been out of prison since the end of February. MEP Andrea Cozzolino is also at home.