Brussels, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) Chilling revelations of the Qatargate scandal has shocked the European Parliament. The scandal is likely to include a number of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and key players from some rogue human rights organisations. Qatar has rebut the allegations with its mission to the European Union saying that Qatar has nothing to do with this corruption scandal.
Qatargate Scandal Investigation
The expanding police probe into allegations of criminal organisation corruption and money laundering has rocked the EU bubble and raised questions about the Democratic foundations of the European Parliament. Suitcases of cash, phones and computers are seized and senior politicians arrested.
The fact that it allegedly involves World Cup host Qatar when the spotlight is firmly on that country has only added to the intrigue. Belgium police have raided 20 locations and charged four people.
There were more arrests in Italy and further investigations at the parliament in Strasbourg so far. All appear to have links to the Socialists and Democrats group. So who is allegedly involved here?
Who is involved in the Qatargate Corruption Scandal?
Politico has mapped the connections between some of the people caught up in the investigation.
1- MEP Eva Kylie
The most high profile of those charged is Eva Kylie, a Greek MEP and former news presenter who within days of the Qatargate Scandal breaking was stripped of her role as one of the parliament’s 14 Vice Presidents. She was detained with her father Alessandro Kellis who was later released by police.
2- Francesco Giorgi
The partner of Eva Kylie, Francesco Giorgi who is an advisor to socialist MEP Andrea Cotolino was also charged. Giorgi’s alleged involvement highlights an organisation with connections to some of the other people under investigation by police.
3- MEP Pierre Antonio Panzeri
Giorgi founded ‘Fight Impunity’ in 2019, a brussels-based NGO that describes itself as an association against impunity and for transitional Justice. Its president, the former socialists and Democrats MEP Pierre Antonio Panzeri has also been charged by Belgian police.
4- Maria Leoni and Sylvia Panzeri
Meanwhile, on Friday, Italian police also picked up Pierre Antonio Panzeri’s wife and daughter; Maria Leoni and Sylvia panzeri. The warrant for their arrest accuses Pierre Antonio panzeri of intervening politically with members working at the European Parliament for the benefit of Qatar and Morocco. It also accuses his wife and daughter of participating in a criminal organisation and money laundering.
5- Luca Byzantini
Others with connections to Fight Impunity have come to police attention too who likely played key role in Qatargate scandal. Luca Byzantini, the Secretary General of the International Trade union Confederation participated in an event at the NGO earlier this year according to its website. He was arrested and then released by Belgian police.
6- Mark Tarabello
Likewise, the home of Belgian socialist MEP Mark Tarabello was raided by police. He attended a Fight Impunity event in 2019 along with Kylie according to its website.
7- Two Unidentified Parliamentary Aides
Furthermore, two unidentified parliamentary aides have had their offices sealed amid police investigations.
8- Nicolo Figo Talabanka
There is another connection to know about Fight Punity shares an address on Rue decal, one of the most exclusive locations in Brussels with another NGO called No peace without Justice. Its website says it works for the protection and promotion of Human Rights, Democracy, the rule of law and international Justice. Its Director General Nicolo Figo Talabanka has also been arrested and charged.
Kylie says she is innocent and has quoted that she has ‘nothing to do with bribery from Qatar’. Others caught up in the investigation have also protested their innocence.
However, the investigation of the Qatargate corruption scandal is in the middle and nothing can be said for sure. It is a matter of time when the clear picture of corruption, money laundering and bribery would present a true picture of who are the culprits.
