Michael Claise, the investigating judge leading the Qatargate inquiry, has had to disqualify himself due to a possible conflict of interest.
In what observers described as “an astounding statement”, the federal prosecutor reported on the evening of June 19 that there had “recently appeared a number of elements that could call into question the objective direction of the investigation”.
The elements in question are the fact that Claise’s eldest son owns a company called BRC & Co together with the son of Marie Arena, a Belgian socialist MEP. Arena quit her role as chair of the European Parliament’s subcommittee on human rights in January after an expose suggested she had failed to properly declare free flights and accommodation she received from Qatar. Arena denied any wrongdoing.
BRC & Co specialises in the sale of CBD – legal cannabis with psychotropic elements removed.
Qatargate is the investigation into alleged efforts by Qatar and Morocco (and possibly other countries) to influence parliamentary decisions with bribes. The case has already led to the arrest of former vice-president of the European Parliament, Eva Kaili, former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri and Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella (since released on bail). The Belgian police reportedly seized bags of cash amounting to €1.5 million from the private residences of suspects.
Regarding Michael Claise, Tarabella’s counsel, Maxim Töller, apparently received information relating to his son’s business, which ultimately forced the judge to step down.
Arena has not been charged by prosecutors but she is mentioned in an arrest warrant leaked to Belgian press.
She is a close friend of Panzeri, the pivotal figure in Qatargate who signed a plea bargain deal. He confessed to being part of a criminal organisation and is working with the prosecutors.
It is unclear what the effect of Claise’s decision will be on the Qatargate investigation. Observers say there may be a delay to proceedings. Some parts of the probe might need to start again.
The new lead investigator, Aurélie Dejaiffe, is already well familiar with the case.
Prosecutors stress Claise’s honesty and the scope of his work have not been called into question, merely that any possible conflicts of interest must be avoided.
