In a significant move, Belgian authorities have officially requested the European Parliament to lift the immunity of five Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged bribery and corruption linked to the Chinese tech giant Huawei.
Key MEPs Under Scrutiny
The investigation, which began two months ago, involves five MEPs, including three from the European People’s Party (EPP), one from the Socialists & Democrats (S&D), and one from Renew Europe. The request for immunity revocation follows several raids at the European Parliament offices in Brussels, spearheaded by the Belgian Prosecutor’s Office.
Belgian prosecutors have filed charges against eight individuals, including accusations of money laundering, organized criminal activity, and active corruption. The allegations focus on the MEPs’ involvement in lobbying efforts that reportedly benefited Huawei, including supporting legislation designed to favor the company’s interests in Europe.
Details of the Scandal
While the identities of all the implicated MEPs have not yet been fully disclosed, several lawmakers have come forward to confirm their involvement in the investigation. Notably, Italian MEP Salvatore de Meo (EPP), Maltese MEP Daniel Attard (S&D), and Bulgarian MEP Nikola Minchev (Renew Europe) have acknowledged the request for the lifting of their immunity.
Minchev, in particular, addressed the allegations, clarifying that his involvement was linked to his former assistant. He explained that the Belgian prosecution has not made any direct accusations against him but is investigating the possibility of improper actions. Minchev mentioned attending a football match where the tickets were allegedly sourced by someone connected to his former assistant, who had links to Huawei.
“I want to clear the air and resolve this matter swiftly. I am requesting the removal of my immunity so the authorities can investigate and prove that I have no involvement in any illegal or inappropriate activity,” Minchev stated.
European Parliament’s Next Steps
The European Parliament is set to officially address the matter during an upcoming plenary session, where President Roberta Metsola will announce the full list of MEPs under investigation. The lifting of immunity is expected to be a critical step in the Belgian authorities’ efforts to fully investigate the corruption allegations and bring clarity to the situation.
As the investigation unfolds, the European Parliament faces growing pressure to maintain transparency and accountability, particularly concerning the influence of foreign corporations like Huawei within EU institutions.