Qatar has been singled out for attempted bribery in the European Union

Federal Police raided 16 locations in central Brussels on Friday. Among the people arrested and heard was, among others, a former member of the European Union Parliament.

“For several months, federal investigators have suspected that a country in the Arabian Peninsula has attempted to influence financial and political decisions in the European Parliament, by paying large sums of money or making gifts to third parties that hold important political or strategic positions in the European Parliament,” a statement read. Journalist of the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office.

Qatar Picas Out

Prosecutors did not give names or nationalities – but according to information provided to the Belgian newspaper Le Soir, it is an attempt at bribery in favor of Qatar. The newspaper also mentioned that a former Italian member of the European Parliament was interrogated, and also referred to another person who was questioned as an Italian with a major role in the international trade union movement.

During the raids, the equivalent of six million Swedish kronor in cash, computer equipment and mobile phones were seized.

According to the prosecution’s statement, people who work as assistants in parliament have been particularly targeted.

“no comment”

According to Le Soir’s information, about half a million kroner should have been found with the former member. The newspaper wrote that the four arrested and interrogated had links to Italy. The raids around Brussels are said to have been carried out by at least three people with assistant assignments within the S&D group and one from the conservative Christian Democratic Party (EPP) group.

Comments from the EU Parliament have so far been cautious.

“The Parliament of the European Union does not comment on ongoing legal proceedings. As always, the Parliament cooperates fully with the relevant national authorities,” salutes the Parliament’s press service.