The examining magistrate in the latest alleged foreign influence corruption probe at the European Parliament has charged five people.
Four have been arrested, held and charged with alleged active corruption and criminal organisation membership. The fifth person has been charged with alleged money laundering but was not detained.
The charges and arrests came after a major operation launched on March 13 in which approximately 100 police officers searched 21 properties linked to MEPs and their staff.
It was part of an investigation into allegations that certain individuals illegally advocated for Chinese technology giant Huawei’s interests in European policy circles in exchange for various favours.
“On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, these four persons appeared before the pre-trial chamber, which decided to extend pre-trial detention,” the prosecutor said in a press statement.
“In addition, on Monday, March 17, 2025, new searches took place, this time at the offices of the European Parliament in Brussels, some of whose premises had already been placed under judicial seal on 13 March 2025.”
According to Euronews, the offices raided in the European Parliament belonged to Paolo Campisi and Francesco Vasta, the assistants of Marco Falcone, Italian MEP for the European People’s Party, and the other to Adam Mouchtar, assistant to Bulgarian Renew MEP Nikola Minchev.
There was no suggestion of wrongdoing by any of them.
The public prosecutor added that, at this stage and for the purposes of the investigation, no further communication would be made.
No names of suspects were given and all are presumed innocent.
Within five days, the persons subject to the arrest warrants must appear again before the pre-trial chamber, which will decide whether to keep them in detention further.
Police have sought evidence regarding allegations Huawei representatives broke the law in attempts to influence around 15 MEPs, it has been reported.
According to the investigation, code-named Operation Generation, Huawei was suspected of giving tickets to football games – the Chinese firm has a private box at Lotto Park, the home of RSC Anderlecht.
In addition, luxury trips to China, Huawei smartphones, food expenses, gifts and possibly thousands of euros were allegedly given in exchange for positive promotion of the company.
On March 14, a spokesperson for Huawei told Brussels Signal: “Huawei takes these allegations seriously and will urgently communicate with the investigation to further understand the situation.
“Huawei has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing and we are committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations at all times.”
Update: On March 19, a spokesperson for Huawei told Brussels Signal that the company would not comment further at the moment
The European Parliament has been hit with yet another alleged corruption scandal centred around foreign influence. https://t.co/G2qytSSdtG
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) March 13, 2025
