The European Parliament voted on Thursday to lift the immunity of Socialist MEPs Marc Tarabella (Belgium) and Andrea Cozzolino (Italy), who were targeted by Belgian justice in the Qatargate corruption scandal, AFP and Agerpres reported.

Vote in the European ParliamentPhoto: Kenzo Tribouillard / AFP / Profimedia Images

MEPs adopted two reports by a show of hands, drafted by Manon Aubry, co-president of the left group in the EP. The EP vote clears the way for two MEPs to be questioned by Belgian investigators and confirms the green light given unanimously on Tuesday by the European Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee (JURI).

Two elected Europeans, expelled from the S&D group in the European Parliament and who denied any involvement in the Qatargate scandal, voted to lift their own immunity, AFP reports.

In this corruption scandal, which negatively affected the image of the European Parliament, four people were arrested: the former Italian Socialist MP Pier Antonio Panzeri, the Greek MEP Eva Kaili, her partner, the Italian assistant Francesco Giorgi, and the Italian Niccolo Figa-Talamanca, the head of the NGO.

Four are charged with participation in a criminal organization, money laundering and corruption. They are suspected of receiving large sums of money from the state of Qatar to influence its favorable statements and policy decisions within the EU, especially regarding workers’ rights in Qatar, a country often criticized for violating these rights.

The “customer” of the corruption operation signed an agreement with Belgian prosecutors

During the search of Panzeri’s place of residence, an amount of 600,000 euros was found. According to the Belgian media, he allegedly received money from Morocco to support the country’s interests in the European Parliament.

Former Italian MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri, the main suspect in this scandal, signed an agreement with the Belgian prosecutor’s office on January 17, according to which he agrees to cooperate with the investigation in exchange for a reduced prison term with execution.

In total, Belgian investigators confiscated a sum of 1.5 million euros in cash, found in Panzeri and Kylie’s residences, as well as in a suitcase carried by the Greek MEP’s father.

At the same time, the financial prosecutor’s office in Athens opened a preliminary investigation into bribery and money laundering against MEP Eva Kyli.