Investigations: Authorities throw Huawei bribery in the EU Parliament

The Belgian authorities accuse the Chinese technology giant Huawei illegal influence on political decision -making processes in the European Parliament. This was announced by the responsible public prosecutor. In the course of investigations into active bribery and falsification, around 100 police officers were used for 21 house searches in Belgium and Portugal. Several people were temporarily arrested and questioned.

In addition, the investigative judge applied for the sealing of offices in the European Parliament of two presumably involved parliamentary assistants. The public prosecutor did not share whether – and if so, like many – former or active MPs. There were no evidence that MPs were also arrested.

Chinese technology in western mobile communications has been hotly debated for years. Huawei critic fears that China could get access to cell phone networks through the company. The group did not react initially on request.

EU Parliament: Working with authorities

At the request of the German press agency, a spokeswoman for the EU Parliament confirmed the request of the Belgian authorities to support the investigation. The parliament will cooperate.

Football games and restaurant visits

From 2021 to the present, corruption is said to have been practiced regularly and very discreetly in various forms under the guise of commercial lobbying, “said the public prosecutor. This included remuneration for political statements or inappropriate gifts such as regular invitations to play football or taking on restaurant and travel expenses.

In the case of acquisition of conference costs, money could also have flowed to middlemen. Furthermore, the public prosecutor said. “Several documents and objects have been confiscated and have to be analyzed further.”

At the parliamentary seats in Brussels and Strasbourg, names of possible suspects are circulating. Among other things, it is about MPs from Italy. In addition, former MPs are also said to be in the sights of the authorities. The information is not officially confirmed.

MPs from Greens and Left are already loudly clarifying and stricter rules. There are forces to manipulate the European Parliament’s decisions, said Greens, Daniel Freund. “The risk of corruption in Brussels is too high.”

Once again, the EU Parliament is involved in a scandal, according to the left-wing parliamentary group leader Martin Schirdewan. “All criminals and corrupt practices in parliament must be uncovered in every detail and punished with sharp countermeasures,” he said.

Not the first time corruption investigations in the EU Parliament

Around two years ago, investigations into corruption, money laundering and attempted influence of a Gulf State had shaken the European Parliament. The scandal known under the name of the Katargate is about alleged influence on political decisions by the governments of Qatar and Morocco. At the end of 2022, investigations against the then Vice President of the EU Parliament Eva Kaili and other suspects were initiated for participation in a criminal association, money laundering and corruption. The investigation and procedures are still ongoing.

Last year there were also searches in the European Parliament on suspicion of Russian and Chinese influence.

Lobbyism is not punishable and a common practice in politics. With their specialist knowledge and arguments, representatives of companies or environmental organizations try to influence legal projects in the sense of their interests and shape them. However, it is not allowed to secretly offer or accept money or gifts for favors.

If you want to have an access certificate to the European Parliament as a lobbyist, you have to register in the so -called transparency register. According to official information, almost 14,000 organizations are recorded there.