Arrests over alleged corruption at the European Parliament are “very, very worrisome”, the EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said.
And Irish Foreign Affairs minister Simon Coveney said the charges against four people were “very damaging”.
Among the arrested was European Parliament Vice President Eva Kaili – believed to be one of those charged.
Prosecutors suspect a Gulf state – reportedly Qatar – tried to influence parliament by donating money or gifts.
Qatar has denied misconduct.
Belgian police seized cash worth about €600,000 ($632,000; £515,000) in 16 searches in Brussels on Friday. Computers and mobile phones were also taken, to examine their contents.
Four people have been charged while two have been released, prosecutors said on Sunday.
No suspects have been publicly named but Ms Kaili is understood to be among those who have been indicted.
“They are charged with participation in a criminal organisation, money laundering and corruption,” the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office said in a statement.
The details released by Belgian authorities in the last few days left many people’s jaws on the floor.
Two MEPs homes have been searched and 600,000 euros seized. The federal prosecutor’s office didn’t mince their words in terms of the allegations either.
MEPs I’ve spoken to say they’re shocked by both the scale and blatancy of the accusations, albeit not by the suggestion a foreign power might try to influence EU policy – or seek to improve their country’s reputation through public debates.
Qatar has rejected any reports of misconduct – but this story is set to dominate proceedings as MEPs head to Strasbourg for one of their regular plenary sessions.
Source: bbc.com
