by Charlotte Van Campenhout
BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Parliament said on Monday it would begin proceedings to lift the immunity of two MEPs following a request from Belgian courts as part of an investigation into a scandal of corruption linked to Qatar.
According to two sources close to the investigation, the two MEPs concerned are the Belgian Marc Tarabella and the Italian Andrea Cozzolino, targets of accusations made by Francesco Giorgi, the companion of the deposed Vice-President of the European Parliament, Eva Kaili , both of whom are in custody.
Reuters had learned last month from sources familiar with the matter that Francesco Giorgi, a parliamentary assistant, had admitted to investigators that he had taken bribes from Doha to influence European Parliament decisions regarding Qatar.
“After a request from the Belgian judicial authorities, I have launched an urgent procedure to lift the immunity of two members of the European Parliament”, announced the president of the institution, Roberta Metsola, on Twitter. “There will be no impunity,” she added.
Marc Tarabella’s lawyer indicated that his client was in favor of lifting his immunity. In a statement released earlier, Tarabella denied any wrongdoing, saying he had “absolutely nothing to hide” and that he would answer “all questions from investigators”.
No comment could be obtained from Andrea Cozzolino, who told Italian news agencies last month that he was not under any investigation at the time.
Eva Kaili and Qatar have denied any misconduct in what is one of the biggest scandals affecting European institutions.
According to the sources, Francesco Giorgi accused Marc Tarabella and Andrea Cozzolino of having received money from Qatar, without it being immediately possible to determine whether Giorgi had provided proof of his statements.
(Report Charlotte Van Campenhout, with Emilio Parodi in Rome; French version Jean Terzian, edited by Tangi Salaün)