The European Parliament decided to deprive Eva Kail of the position of vice-president. He was already expelled from the Greek PASOK party.
Member of the European Parliament arrested by the Belgian police Eva Kaili plead not guilty. According to the British broadcaster BBC, his lawyer Michalis Dimitrakopoulos said on Tuesday on Greek television that Kaili asserts his innocence.
– He has nothing to do with Qatari bribes, assured Dimitrakopoulos.
The results of home searches by the Belgian police seem to indicate otherwise. On Tuesday, the police published pictures of bundles of euro banknotes – from tens to two hundred euro banknotes. A total of EUR 1.5 million worth of means of payment were confiscated.
Kail’s lawyer said According to the BBC (you will switch to another service)that he has no idea how much money was seized – or if there was any at all.
The position of the Belgian authorities is clear. According to them, Kail and three other detainees will be charged with participation in a criminal organization, money laundering and corruption.
According to the news agency AFP, a Belgian court judge is expected to decide whether to continue the detention of the four suspects. Of the six people who were initially arrested, two have already been released.
Some of the caches of money were found at Kaili’s place
According to the prosecutor, caches of cash were seized from the home of one of the detainees, the apartment of an MEP and a hotel room.
The EU Parliament almost unanimously decided to dismiss Kail from the position of vice-president. There were 625 MEPs behind the decision, and only one objected.
The Greek Kaili was one of the 14 vice-presidents of the European Parliament. The central task is now changing to the role of the main accused.
Some of the bags containing money were found in Kaili’s home. On this basis, the judge considered that parliamentary immunity is not an obstacle to the legal process.
Kaili effusively praised Qatar
Along with the evidence, Kaili’s appearance also tells about Qatar’s influence on the MEP.
This one visited Qatar just before the soccer world cup, and was full of praise for the host country after returning to Brussels.
According to Kail, Qatar is a pioneer in workers’ rights, having abolished the kafala system that oppresses foreign workers and established a minimum wage.
The view presented by the EU parliamentarian in November is completely different from the criticism directed at Qatar by human rights organizations.
From a former news anchor to a prime suspect
In addition to this, Eva Kaili thanked Qatar’s international contribution, and accused the MPs criticizing the country of being duplicitous.
Kaili said that the energy supplied by Qatar and other economic relations are fine, but that contact with the country raises allegations of corruption.
Saying this, Kaili seemed to be predicting her own future.
For the 44-year-old Greek – a former TV news anchor and PASOK party politician – suspicions are now turning into accusations.
Sources: AFP, Reuters