Belgian MP Marc Tarabella has been arrested as part of an investigation into the bribery scandal in the European Parliament. The politician is suspected of money laundering, corruption and membership in a criminal organization. The Belgian prosecutor confirmed this to the Flemish broadcaster VRT. He will appear in court next Thursday.
Tarabella was arrested for questioning yesterday morning after her parliamentary immunity was lifted by the European Parliament two weeks ago. The bank vault was also searched yesterday.
The scandal revolves around alleged bribery of lawmakers by Qatar and Morocco.
Excluded from party and parliamentary group
Tarabella was a member of the Wallonian Parti Socialiste and the Socialist Group in the European Parliament. He was also vice-chairman of the committee dealing with the Parliament’s relations with Qatar and other Arab countries. She was expelled from her party and the Brussels group due to scandal.
Former European Parliament MP Pier Antonio Panzeri, who is believed to be the cornerstone of the scandal, said he previously paid Tarabella between 120,000 and 140,000 euros to represent Qatar’s interests in Brussels, according to Belgian media.
Source: NOS
Karen Clayton is a seasoned journalist and author at The Nation Update, with a focus on world news and current events. She has a background in international relations, which gives her a deep understanding of the political, economic and social factors that shape the global landscape. She writes about a wide range of topics, including conflicts, political upheavals, and economic trends, as well as humanitarian crisis and human rights issues.
