Global Courant
Cozzolino is the third lawmaker to be charged with corruption following allegations that Qatar and Morocco bribed politicians.
European Parliamentarian Andrea Cozzolino has been extradited to Belgium and charged in connection with a cash-for-influence scandal at the European Parliament.
The MEP for Italy’s centre-left Democratic Party was charged with public corruption, criminal organization and money laundering, it said, adding that he was subsequently released under “certain conditions” pending further investigation.
The scandal, the biggest to upend EU politics in decades, rests on suspicions that Qatar and Morocco have bribed politicians, parliamentarians and non-governmental organizations to influence decision-making in the EU assembly.
Last month, Italy had agreed to extradite him to Belgium. He flew to Belgium on Monday for questioning after being arrested in Italy four months ago on an international warrant.
Cozzolino has denied any allegations. Both Qatar and Morocco deny involvement in corruption.
Qatar says information ‘inaccurate’
The 60-year-old is the third lawmaker to be charged over the alleged scheme.
Eva Kaili, a Greek parliamentarian and one of the vice-presidents of the European Parliament, was among those charged after a series of raids uncovered about 1.5 million euros ($1.59 million). She has denied any allegations.
Since the allegation emerged, Qatar has maintained that its government “operates through institution-to-institute engagement and operates in full compliance with international laws and regulations”.
Last year, a Qatari official said the investigation was based on “inaccurate” information and could have “negative” consequences for relations between the Gulf state and Belgium.
Al Jazeera has reached out to Qatari officials for comment on the extradition and latest charges.
The federal prosecutor of Belgium expects the investigation to be completed by the end of the year.
