Eight people are charged with corruption, money laundering and participating in criminal organizations after investigating suspected bribery European ParliamentBelgian prosecutor said in a statement Friday.
Belgian prosecutors said on March 13 that they had detained several individuals in the European Parliament for suspected bribery, allegedly for the benefit of China’s Huawei.
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March 13, Investigator in Belgium After 21 houses were attacked in Belgium and Portugal, a judge demanded that the offices of two parliamentary aides be sealed.
Flags from 27 EU countries are flying in front of the European Parliament in Brussels, Belgium on April 5, 2025. (Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)
Belgian prosecutors said alleged corruption has been “very cautious” in the guise of business lobbying since 2021 and involves payments to take political stance or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or invitations to attend football games on a regular basis.
Prosecutors said the bribery was said to have benefited Huawei.
Huawei has said that the allegations have been taken seriously and will communicate urgently with the authorities to fully understand the situation. It also stated that it has a zero-tolerance policy for corruption or other wrongdoing.
Three of the eight accused were under electronic surveillance, two were released, and three were still arrested, the prosecutor’s office said Friday.
It does not provide more information.
The European Parliament said it had received requests from Belgian authorities to assist in the investigation and to quickly and fully comply with the investigation.
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At the end of 2022, the EU was shocked by the “Qatargate” cash abuse scandal as Belgian authorities alleged suspicion related to the European Parliament was the influence of bribery of politicians, parliamentary aides and NGOs and non-national government organizations to influence decision-making in the EU.
The investigation is still underway.
