Greek MEP Eva Kaili has been released from prison and put under house arrest in the Qatargate corruption case. The investigation is focused on alleged attempts by Qatar and Morocco to purchase influence in the European Parliament. Kaili, who has been charged with corruption, left Haren prison in Brussels and was driven to her apartment where she has been ordered to remain until trial. She will wear an electronic tracker. Kaili, a former vice president of the parliament, has become the public face of a corruption scandal that has affected EU politics. The investigation is continuing.
The investigation focuses on alleged attempts by Qatar and Morocco to buy influence in the European Parliament. The European Union’s elected assembly has been allegedly watered down in criticism of Qatar’s labour rights record ahead of the 2022 World Cup. Both countries deny any involvement in wrongdoing, as do Kaili and Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella. Kaili and Panzeri were among four suspects arrested on December 9.
The scandal has rocked the EU’s institutions and pushed the parliament to introduce reforms aimed at curbing outside influence. Another suspect, Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino, is being held under house arrest in Italy and is fighting his extradition to Belgium. An appeal hearing is due in Naples on May 2.
