Jailed Greek MEP Eva Kaili has reacted negatively to the temporary release with an electronic bracelet of the alleged mastermind of the Qatargate scandal, Pier Antonio Panzeri, saying she will not admit guilt no matter how much pressure the Belgian authorities put on her.
“I’m never going to confess to crimes I haven’t committed even if they tear me to pieces,” Kaili told Ant1 TV channel.
Kaili, a Greek Social Democrat, has been imprisoned for four months now and faces accusations related to the Qatargate corruption scandal that has rocked the European Parliament.
Last week, the Belgian authorities decided to place Pier Antonio Panzeri, the former MEP and alleged mastermind of the scandal, on house arrest.
His release was part of a plea deal struck in January, according to which he pledged to give extensive names and details to Belgian authorities.
Panzeri reportedly named Kaili as an integral part of the scandal, but according to her lawyers, no evidence has been provided.
“Panzeri’s release is the product of a transaction […] he agreed to lie against Eva Kaili, and the exchange was to be released. The one who is the leader of the criminal organisation, which exists, but Mrs Kaili does not participate in,” Kaili’s Athens-based lawyer Michalis Dimitrakopoulos said.
Previously in February, Kaili’s partner Francesco Giorgi was also released with an electronic bracelet, while Kali’s socialist colleague MEP Marc Tarabella, who maintains his innocence, will remain in jail.
On 13 April, the Belgian justice will examine again Kaili’s request to be temporarily released until a trial takes place.
Contacted by EURACTIV, lawyer Spyros Pappas, who defends Kaili in another case related to EU Parliament funds’ mismanagement, said there is no reason for Kaili to remain jailed.
“After four months of pre-trial detention and an investigation that started a year ago, MEP Kaili remains in prison, although there are more reasons for her release. In addition, so far, no substantiated charges have been brought against her,” Pappas told EURACTIV.
Lawyer says lifting MEP Kaili’s immunity was ‘illegal’
Greek lawyer Spyros Pappas has filed an appeal to the General Court of the EU against the European Public Prosecutor’s decision to request the lifting of the immunity of MEP Eva Kaili, claiming that it was illegal because none of the conditions for such a move were met.
(Sarantis Michalopoulos | EURACTIV.com)
Source: euractiv.com
