Former Italian MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri, who was under house arrest and forced to wear an electronic bracelet following the Qatargate scandal in the European Parliament, has been released on parole, Belgium’s federal prosecutors announced on Friday, confirming a report by Le Soir , writes AFP.

The former parliamentarian (2004-2019), who is considered a central figure in this corruption scandal, is at large, but is prohibited from leaving the territory of Belgium.

At least six suspects have been charged in this case of alleged corruption in favor of Qatar and Morocco. The scandal erupted in December when Belgian investigators, during searches in Brussels, found about 1.5 million euros in small banknotes spread out in suitcases or bags.

Belgian justice suspects cash payments in exchange for decisions or political positions favorable to Qatar and Morocco in the European Parliament, which Rabat and Doha strongly deny.

Among the other suspects is the member of the European Parliament from Greece, Eva Kaili, who was also dismissed and returned to her duties as a member of the European Parliament.

Two more suspects in this case also benefited from the removal of house arrest with an electronic bracelet. It is about the Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella, who, like Eve Kylie, declared his innocence, and Francesco Giorgi, the partner of the Greek MEP and former assistant of Pier Antonio Panzeri.