Qatar 2022 Hosting Bribery: EU Parliament to Fire V-P
The European Parliament took a first step Tuesday toward restoring its credibility in the face of suspicions of corruption linked to World Cup host Qatar, by deciding to remove one of its own vice presidents.
At the same time, Greek socialist MEP Eva Kaili’s counsel declared that she was innocent and had “nothing to do with Qatar’s bribes” in her first reaction since being indicted in a Belgian anti-graft probe.
However, while the 44-year-old former TV news anchor sat in a Brussels jail cell, her colleagues in the Strasbourg parliament were set to vote to remove her from her position as vice president.
The parliament’s president, Maltese conservative Roberta Metsola, assembled political leaders before calling on MEPs to vote “on the early termination of Vice President Eva Kaili’s office.”
Kaili’s colleagues in the European Parliament are attempting to distance themselves from her.
A Belgian court will decide whether to keep her and three co-accused in custody pending her trial on Wednesday.
She was arrested last week after a series of raids by Belgian graft investigators on the residences and offices of many MEPs and their assistants or colleagues.
Belgian authorities said 600,000 euros ($630,000) were discovered at one suspect’s home, 150,000 euros at an MEP’s flat, and several hundred thousand euros in a bag in a hotel room.
According to a judicial source, several of these “bags of cash” were discovered in Kaili’s residence, prompting a judge to rule that because she had evidently been caught red-handed, her parliamentary immunity would not apply.
According to a Belgian judicial source, investigators think that officials representing the Gulf monarchy Qatar have been paying off European politicians in order to improve the country’s image.
Qatar is an important energy provider to Europe. However, it has been chastised for alleged maltreatment of migrant workers, most notably those who built the World Cup venues.
Kaili travelled to Qatar just before the tournament and described it as a “front-runner on labour rights.” She has also defended Qatar’s efforts to obtain visa waivers from the EU for its citizens.
“Her attitude is that she is innocent,” Kaili’s lawyer Michalis Dimitrakopoulos told private Greek television channel Open TV. She has nothing to do with the bribes paid by Qatar.”
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When asked if cash was discovered in Kaili’s residence, Dimitrakopoulos stated, “I am not confirming or denying.” There is some discretion. I have no idea if or how much money was discovered.”
However, the allegations have shook Brussels, and Metsola, defending the integrity of the parliament, has attempted to depict the alleged bribes as an assault on democracy.
Some MEPs were bracing themselves for more discoveries. “I’m afraid that what we’re seeing today is only the tip of the iceberg,” said Rene Repasi, a German social democrat.
Metsola also committed to forward Qatar’s application for EU visa waivers to a parliamentary committee for further review, potentially delaying or derailling the proposal.
In the Belgian police raids, Kaili was one of six people arrested. Four people have been charged with “criminal organisation, corruption, and money laundering,” while two others have been released.
Luca Visentini, the general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, a global labour organisation that has pushed Qatar on labour rights, was among those released.
“Should any further claims be made,” he stated in an ITUC statement, “I look forward to the opportunity to counter them, as I am innocent of any misconduct.”
The European Parliament was set to vote later Tuesday on removing Kaili from her position as vice president, and the move was expected to earn the requisite two-thirds majority.
A second draught, seeking for greater transparency in European institutions to combat corruption, will be voted on Thursday.
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AFP
