Now prosecutors can proceed with the investigation.
BRUSSELS — The investigation into the Qatargate cash-for-influence scandal can proceed after appeal court judges dismissed claims that prosecutors mishandled the case.
The appeal court ruled Wednesday that the parliamentary immunities of MEPs under investigation — including former Parliament Vice President Eva Kaili — had not been breached, Le Soir reported. It also rejected claims by the suspects that the judge assigned to the case had conflicts of interest and found that the Belgian security service complied with the law in investigating the case.
Had the judges found serious procedural flaws, the entire prosecution could have been thrown out more than three years after Belgian investigators first carried out raids and made arrests. Now prosecutors can continue with the probe and potentially start a trial.
Several European Parliament lawmakers and aides face charges of doing political favors for countries, including Qatar and Morocco, in exchange for cash and gifts. All deny the allegations, although in 2023, Pier Antonio Panzeri, a former Italian EU lawmaker, struck a plea deal with the Belgian prosecutor in exchange for a reduced sentence.
The delays in the case have been criticized by lawmakers and officials, who have slammed Belgian prosecutors for their handling of corruption cases involving EU institutions.
Lawmakers in December voted against lifting the immunity of Italian lawmaker Elisabetta Gualmini, who is accused of involvement in the scandal, on the grounds that Belgian prosecutors did not provide sufficient evidence. The Parliament’s legal affairs committee did vote to lift the immunity of another Italian MEP, Alessandra Moretti.