European Parliament vice-president arrested over corruption allegations

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ANKARA

A vice-president of the European Parliament was arrested in Brussels on Friday on corruption allegations, local and European media confirmed.

Eva Kaili, one of 14 vice-presidents of the European legislative body of Greece’s centre-left PASOK-KINAL party, was detained by Belgian police after her home was searched, according to the Belgian daily Le Soir.

Greek newspaper Avgi, meanwhile, said his father was also arrested after finding him in possession of a large sum of cash in a suitcase.

Among those detained alongside Kaili were also Luca Visentini, general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation, as well as Pier Antonio Panzeri, a former Italian S&D MEP who chaired the parliamentary human rights subcommittee.

Britain’s Daily Mail, citing Belgian federal prosecutors, said police had searched 16 properties as part of a wider investigation into “criminal organisation, corruption and money laundering”.

The Belgian prosecutors’ statement said: ‘Today’s searches have enabled investigators to recover around 600,000 euros in cash. Computer equipment and cell phones were also seized. These elements will be analyzed as part of the investigations, ”according to the daily.

Kaili was suspended from the Socialists and Democrats group in parliament “with immediate effect, in response to ongoing investigations”, the British newspaper said.

Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, tweeted on Saturday that they are firmly against corruption.

“At this stage, we cannot comment on ongoing investigations, except to confirm that we have and will cooperate fully with all relevant law enforcement and judicial authorities. We will do everything we can to facilitate the course of justice,” he said. she declared.

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