The European Parliament (EP) revoked the immunity of two members on Thursday. It concerns the Belgian Marc Tarabella and the Italian Andrea Cozzolino, who may be involved in the corruption scandal in the EP. The Belgian judiciary can now arrest and question them.
A large majority of parliament voted to lift their immunity. Tarabella and Cozzolino themselves also did not object to the vote. They say they want to clear their name.
MEPs are protected from prosecution by the judiciary. That way they can not be pressured and can do their job freely.
But that does not apply to parliamentarians who are caught red-handed. That is why the Greek Eva Kaili could become EP Vice-President in December arrested. She has now been dropped off.
Four suspects are still in custody on suspicion of bribery
Kaili and three other suspects are still in custody. Former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri has presented himself as a star witness. According to the Belgian public prosecutor, the man has been an important factor in bribery by Qatar and Morocco.
Panzeri would have paid 120,000 euros to Tarabella for representing Qatar’s interests in parliament, Belgian media write. Police also searched Tarabella’s house in December.
Like Panzeri, Cozzolino led a group of MEPs who kept the parliament’s ties with Morocco warm. He is the boss of Francesco Giorgi, Kaili’s arrested partner. Giorgi would have managed the bribe.
