Several individuals have been detained by Belgian authorities in connection with an alleged bribery scandal involving the European Parliament and the Chinese tech company Huawei, according to reports. The suspects, accused of engaging in “active corruption” within the European Parliament to benefit Huawei, were apprehended following searches conducted at 21 locations in Belgium and Portugal. The alleged bribery activities reportedly occurred between 2021 and the present day, involving remuneration for political positions and the receipt of extravagant gifts, such as expensive meals and travel expenses. Prosecutors also suspect that the illicit payments may have been concealed by mixing them with legitimate conference expenses. The investigation aims to uncover any evidence of money laundering as well. Following the raids, a judge overseeing the case ordered the sealing of the offices of two parliamentary assistants at the EU parliament headquarters in Strasbourg. The identities of the suspects and further details have not been disclosed for legal reasons. Both Huawei and the EU parliament have yet to respond to requests for comment. This probe comes in the wake of a similar alleged bribery scandal involving officials from Qatar and Morocco, in which several EU lawmakers and aides were implicated. Five current and former MEPs have been charged in the Qatar and Morocco case, with one of them, Pier Antonio Panzeri from Italy, entering a plea deal in 2023. The Qatari and Moroccan governments have denied any wrongdoing in the matter.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2025/3/14/eu-parliament-rocked-by-corruption-investigation-linked-to-chinas-huawei?traffic_source=rss