Qatargate EX-MEP ‘took Moroccan bribes’
AN ITALIAN former MEP took bribes from Morocco and had a credit card paid for by “the Giant”, investigators probing the Qatargate scandal in the European Parliament have alleged.
The accusations were revealed in a European Arrest Warrant issued for the wife of Pier Antonio Panzeri, one of four people arrested in corruption raids in Belgium last Friday.
Brussels police carried out a second raid on European Parliament offices last night as the inquiry escalated. Mr Panzeri is suspected of accepting payment for “intervening politically” for the benefit of Qatar and Morocco.
The warrant says there are indications that Mr Panzeri had participated in a “criminal organisation” with the knowledge and participation of his wife, Maria Colleoni.
The couple had a credit card paid for by an unknown third party whom the couple called “the Giant”, according to the warrant, and they spent €100,000 (£86,000) on a Christmas holiday.
Ms Colleoni, 68, was arrested in Italy along with their daughter, Silvia. Mr
Panzeri, 67, headed a delegation for rela- tions with the Arab Maghreb Union, which includes Morocco. It comes amid a scandal sparked by a Belgian inquiry into allegations that World Cup host Qatar tried to buy influence in the parliament with gifts and cash.
Eva Kaili, a Greek socialist MEP and the parliament vice-president, was the most high profile of four charged on Sunday, including Mr Panzeri.
Belgium’s prosecutor’s office said 20 searches were carried out, including 19 at private addresses and one in the European Parliament offices.
Nearly €1 million was found, including €600,000 at the home of a suspect, several hundred thousand in a suitcase in a Brussels hotel room and €150,000 in an MEP’S flat.