In the EU corruption scandal, alleged mastermind Antonio Panzeri and former European Parliament vice-president Eva Kaili remain in prison. In addition, the responsible chamber of the Brussels court decided last night that the preventive detention of Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella will be maintained, as confirmed by a spokesman for the Public Ministry.
The bribery scandal, which became public in late 2022, concerns an alleged influence on EU Parliament decisions by the governments of Qatar and Morocco. The Public Ministry accused the accused of corruption, money laundering and association with a criminal organization.
Lawyers demanded release
Kaili’s lawyer, Sven Mary, demanded his client’s release the same day, possibly subject to conditions such as wearing an ankle bracelet. According to the Belgian news agency, he referred to a “difficult situation” for his client. “She has been separated from her son for over two months.” Tarabella’s lawyer also demanded his client’s release.
The third suspect, Panzeri, whose detention has been extended, signed an agreement with the Public Ministry in January in which he undertook to fully contribute to clarifying the scandal.