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The Federal Police of Brussels conducted 21 searches across Belgium on Thursday morning amid suspicions of corruption within the European Parliament, according to the Belgian newspaper Le Soir.
As reported by Le Soir, around 100 investigators from the federal judicial police, acting under the orders of an economic magistrate and the federal prosecutor's office, searched 21 locations in Brussels, Flanders, Wallonia, and Portugal.
15 MEPs Under Suspicion
Belgian authorities suspect that lobbyists from Huawei bribed approximately 15 current or former Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to advance the company’s commercial policies in Europe.
Several individuals who are either currently or formerly affiliated with Huawei were arrested following searches of their homes and offices. These individuals are now being questioned.
This new corruption scandal in the European Parliament comes more than two years after the Qatargate affair.
Influence of Foreign States
The investigations took place amid growing concerns about foreign influence over EU decision-making.
The issue gained attention following the Qatargate scandal, in which the Gulf state allegedly sought to influence Brussels and the European Parliament through bribes and gifts, using intermediary organizations.
Belgian security services are responsible for monitoring foreign-led operations and investigating any potential links between such entities and EU institutions.
With information from Le Soir, Politico, and Athens-Macedonian News Agency.
