Latvian Eldar Mamedov, a political adviser to the S&D group in the European Parliament, was suspended for “serious misconduct” and reported to Belgian police.
By Emmanuel Berretta
© DURSUN AYDEMIR / Anadolu Agency via AFP
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L’operation “clean hands” begins at the S&D group following revelations about the presumed infiltration of foreign powers (Qatar, Morocco). The group’s office has suspended one of its political advisers attached to the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee because of “serious misconduct” in relation to the ongoing investigations.
According to our information, it is Eldar Mamedov, a Latvian whose positions have generated doubts. The secretariat of the Socialists and Democrats group “immediately informed the competent Belgian authorities”, according to its press release. The group is at the disposal of the Belgian justice system for further information. Mamedov has served as political adviser since 2009. He is also responsible for the European Parliament’s delegations for interparliamentary relations with Iran, Iraq, the Arabian Peninsula and Mashreq. His page on the S&D Group’s Internet account has been deactivated.
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An adviser with already controversial positions
Within the group, Eldar Mamedov was one of those who advised a lenient line vis-à-vis Qatar, as did the deposed vice-president Eva Kaili. He had also taken sides against the group’s position on the resolution calling Russia a “sponsor” of terrorism. Some Socialist MPs also point to ambiguous positions vis-à-vis the Iranian regime. Mamedov acts as an analyst in certain online publications and takes the trouble to specify, in this case, that his opinions do not engage those of the S&D group.
Eldar Mamedov presents himself as a graduate of the University of Latvia and the Diplomatic School in Madrid, Spain. He reportedly worked in Latvia’s Foreign Ministry and held diplomatic posts in Washington DC and Madrid.
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Eva Kaili’s partial confession
In addition, the S&D group should elect on January 11 one of its members candidate for the vice-presidency of the European Parliament to replace Eva Kaili. The Greek MP will appear on Thursday before the council chamber of the Brussels court of first instance, which will decide whether or not to keep her in detention. His companion, Francesco Giorgi, has already appeared and was kept in detention because of his confession in this case of alleged influence peddling for the benefit of Qatar and Morocco.
According to The evening and La Repubblica, Eva Kaili, who denied any involvement, admitted having given instructions to her father to hide the cash. His father was apprehended with a suitcase containing several hundred thousand euros and released since.