Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella (S&D) told RTL on Wednesday that he was serene and did not receive money or gifts from Qatar after being accused by former MEP Pier-Antonio Panzeri (S&D) of being involved in the corruption system operating in the European Parliament.
On 9 December, on international anti-corruption day, Belgian authorities launched a vast anti-corruption operation. Four people were arrested, including Panzeri, now former European Parliament vice-president Eva Kaili (S&D) and her partner, Francesco Giorgi.
On 10 December, Panzeri, who is considered the “mastermind” behind the system put in place, accused Tarabella – vice-chair of the EP’s Delegation for relations with the Arab Peninsula (DARP) – of having received “gifts” from Qatar.
Tarabella’s home was searched the next day. No money was found, and he was not arrested. The Belgian has claimed his innocence – directly and through his lawyer – since then. However, he was suspended from his national party, the Socialist Party (PS, Wallonia), and suspended himself from the S&D group in Parliament.
On Tuesday, it was revealed that, on 10 December, Panzeri also told Belgian investigators he gave Tarabella €120,000 to €140,000 in cash for “having taken certain positions” on Qatar-related files.
Tarabella told RTL that he does not want to make any comments for now and wants to be heard by investigators first. “I will speak to the press after speaking with the investigators.”
On Tuesday, Panzeri signed a “repentance agreement” and will collaborate with authorities in exchange for a “limited sentence”. This means there is a possibility of new evidence emerging but also of new names being mentioned and, according to some, of other institutions being involved.
However, Tarabella’s lawyer, Maxim Toller, explained on Tuesday that Panzeri’s declarations “must be questioned all the more because he is speaking out in exchange for something,” Le Soir reported.
After his parliamentary immunity is lifted, Tarabella will be heard by Belgian justice. He has already expressed his support for this immunity lift, saying he does not want to “hide behind” it.
The procedure for lifting immunity was launched on Monday in plenary, and a decision is expected by 13 February. The Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) will be responsible for giving an opinion and will have the opportunity to hear the two MEPs behind closed doors. Manon Aubry (The Left) will be rapporteur on the matter, L’Écho reported on Monday.
Tarabella’s lawyer already announced that his client does not wish to be heard by the JURI committee since he instead wishes to save his explanations for the investigators, Le Soir reported on Tuesday.
(Anne-Sophie Gayet | EURACTIV.com)
Source: euractiv.com
