Belgian justice rejected on Thursday jailed MEP Eva Kaili’s third request to get released until the trial of the Qatargate takes place. Meanwhile, her lawyer lashed out against Pier Antonio Panzeri, the alleged mastermind of the scandal, saying he is “completely untrustworthy”.
EURACTIV was informed that her lawyers will make an appeal to the decision. If the appeal is rejected, then she will be able to make a new release request in two months, according to the Belgian law.
A source close to the issue told EURACTIV that during the hearing Kaili asked the Belgian authorities to be judged as a “mother” and not as a “public figure”.
Kaili has a two-year-old child who currently stays with her father.
However, it seems the Belgian judges were not convinced. The source said the judges fear that Kaili could attempt to destroy evidence if she is released and, therefore, cause damage to the investigation.
Kaili is currently facing accusations related to bribery and money laundering. But EURACTIV was informed that earlier this week, the allegation of participation in a criminal organisation was added.
Panzeri under fire
Meanwhile, Kaili’s Greek lawyer Michalis Dimitrakopoulos attacked Pier Antonio Panzeri.
Panzeri is alleged to be the mastermind of the scandal, which recently made a deal with the Belgian authorities to get a softer sentence in exchange for revealing everything related to the case.
Since the deal with the Belgian justice, Panzeri has been providing new information.
In the case of Kaili, he seems to have said that he “heard” that the Greek MEP got money from Qatar to use for her re-election campaign, Dimitrakopoulos said.
“He is completely untrustworthy”, Dimitrakopoulos said, adding that Panzeri can accuse “even the Pope of Rome” to save himself.
The lawyer also claimed that Panzeri’s new testimonies had not provided any additional information against his client and, therefore, Kaili should be released.
(Sarantis Michalopoulos | EURACTIV.com)
Source: euractiv.com
