Two more Socialist Euro MPs were on February 16 named as being allegedly connected to the growing Qatargate scandal.
MEPs Maria Arena (a Belgian) and Alessandra Moretti (an Italian) are “connected to the investigation being undertaken by Belgian prosecutors” via an arrest warrant issued by a Belgian prosecutor, reported Politico.
The warrant for the arrest of Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino, issued on February 10 by investigating judge Michel Claise, alleged that Arena and Moretti were members of a “quadrumvirate”, along with Cozzolino and Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella, it is reported. The accused have previously denied allegations. The office of Arena did not immediately answer a request for comment by the Brussels Signal. Moretti came back to underline her “position of non-involvement of any sorts in the matter in question”.
The foursome were, according to Politico, allegedly following the instructions of “ringleader” Pier Antonio Panzeri, a former Euro MP who has struck a plea bargain with the Belgian prosecutors.
All the accused are either members or have a connection to the European Socialists, who have already suffered electoral fallout as the result of Qatargate. The scandal centres on the alleged bribery of law-makers by non-EU countries, including Qatar and Morocco. Arena stepped down from the assembly’s human rights committee in January, saying she had done no wrong.
The article for the first time also names two Moroccans “considered crucial to the allegedly corrupt network”. According to the cited warrant, Morocco “attempted to influence the European Parliament’s position on the controversial issue of Western Sahara”, a disputed territory and former Spanish colony claimed both by Morocco and a rebel independence movement.
The raging scandal has also focused attention on investigating judge Michel Claise, who is accused by one lawyer of taking an overly tough line with those who have been arrested by refusing to lift preventative custody. Maxim Töller, the lawyer for Marc Tarabella, has called for the judge’s removal on grounds that there has been a “violation of the presumption of innocence”. Both Tarabella and Eva Kaili, the former Parliament vice president jailed in December, are attempting again to make bail this week.
The story, followed up across European media, has added to the impression that the Parliament has a sleaze problem.
