Former Vice-President of the European Parliament Eva Kayli, who is suspected of taking bribes from Qatar, admitted today that she knew that there were large sums of money in her home, but she did not admit that she had been subjected to corruption.
The Greek Socialist MEP has been detained for more than a week, and a hearing is scheduled at the Brussels Court of First Instance on Thursday to decide whether the politician remains in preventive detention.
The judicial authorities have already ordered the other defendants in the context of the scandal known as “Catargate” – Eva Cayley’s partner, Francesco Giorgi, who has already admitted, in statements to the police, to his participation in the corruption scheme, and the former Italian deputy Pier Antonio Panzeri – held pending trial.
According to today’s edition of Le Soir newspaper, which had access to the investigation, Eva Cayley admitted to investigators that she had asked her father to hide part of the thousands of euros that were in her home, and a bag with money was taken to the Sofitel Hotel, where the father of the member of the European Parliament was staying. .
It was precisely the role of Kylie’s father that allowed the Belgian police (in charge of conducting the investigation) to act, despite the immunity granted at the time to the Vice-President of the European Parliament, as it was considered that she was committing a flagrant crime. .
Francesco Giorgi, who was confirmed by the court in pre-trial detention on the 14th, confessed before the investigative judge to his participation in an organization that allegedly took bribes from Qatar and Morocco to obtain political and economic benefits in the European Union.
Investigators have identified former Socialist MEP Pierre Antonio Panzieri as the ringleader of the group, saying he used the NGO “Fighting Impunity” to communicate with MEPs and “honorary” members. “, including the former European Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs, the Greek Dimitris Avramopoulos, and the former High Representative for Foreign Policy of the European Union, the Italian Socialist Federica Mogherini.
Panzi’s wife and daughter were arrested in Italy for their alleged involvement in the corruption case, and Italian justice allowed her extradition to Belgium, where authorities suspect her of having an active role in the scheme.
The defense of Panziri’s wife, however, announced that it would appeal the decision, the Italian press advanced.
In addition, according to Le Soir, both Giorgi and Panziri, in their statements, implied the involvement of Belgian Socialist MP Marc Tarabella, who has already been questioned by the police and his house searched, but who is still at large.
“Hardcore alcohol maven. Hipster-friendly analyst. Introvert. Devoted social media advocate.”
