MEP Marie Arena questioned in Qatargate corruption probe

Belgian MEP Marie Arena was questioned on Friday morning in the European Parliament corruption probe dubbed Qatargate, Le Soir and RTBF report. 

The Belgian federal prosecutor's office has only confirmed that Arena's questioning was scheduled for Friday. They could not confirm whether Arena was questioned as a suspect, as reported by Le Soir and RTBF.

For several months, the prosecutor's office has been conducting a major investigation into attempts by Qatar and Morocco to influence economic and political decision-making in the European Parliament.

Both countries allegedly tried to influence the decisions and resolutions of the European Parliament through former Italian MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri and his non-profit organisation Fight Impunity.

Panzeri, his right-hand man Francesco Giorgi, his partner and vice-president of the European Parliament Eva Kaili, Brussels-Italian lobbyist Nicolo Figa-Talamanca, Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella and Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino have all been named as suspects in the case. 

Arena was also named in the case, but so far had not been charged or questioned. Arena, a member of francophone socialist party PS and the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats, has always insisted that she was never influenced or bribed.

 

Belgian MEP Marie Arena © PHOTO LEPICTORIUM

Get updates in your mailbox

By clicking "Subscribe" I confirm I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy.

About belganewsagency.eu

Belga News Agency delivers dependable, rapid and high-quality information 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, from Belgium and abroad to all Belgian media. The information covers all sectors, from politics, economics and finance to social affairs, sports and culture, not to mention entertainment and lifestyle.

Every day, our journalists and press photographers produce hundreds of photos and news stories, dozens of online information items, plus audio and video bulletins, all in both national languages. Since the end of March 2022 English has been added as a language.

For public institutions, businesses and various organisations that need reliable information, Belga News Agency also offers a comprehensive range of corporate services to meet all their communication needs.

Contact

Arduinkaai 29 1000 Brussels

www.belganewsagency.eu