Cozzolino is the third lawmaker to be charged with corruption following allegations that Qatar and Morocco bribed politicians.
European Union lawmaker Andrea Cozzolino has been extradited to Belgium and charged in reference to a cash-for-influence scandal on the European Parliament.
The European parliamentarian for Italy’s centre-left Democratic Social gathering was charged with public corruption, legal organisation and cash laundering, it stated, including he was then launched below “sure situations” pending additional inquiries.
The scandal, the largest to rock EU politics in a long time, hinges on suspicions that Qatar and Morocco bribed politicians, parliamentary assistants and non-governmental organisations to affect decision-making within the EU meeting.
Final month, Italy had agreed to extradite him to Belgium. He flew into Belgium on Monday for questioning after being arrested 4 months in the past in Italy on a global warrant.
Cozzolino has denied any wrongdoing. Each Qatar and Morocco deny involvement in corruption.
Qatar says data ‘inaccurate’
The 60-year-old is the third lawmaker to be charged over the alleged scheme.
Eva Kaili, a Greek parliamentarian and one of many European Parliament vice presidents, was amongst these charged after a sequence of raids uncovered about 1.5 million euros ($1.59m). She has denied any wrongdoing.
Because the allegation emerged, Qatar has maintained that its authorities “works by means of institution-to-institution engagement and operates in full compliance with worldwide legal guidelines and laws”.
Final 12 months, a Qatari official stated the investigation relied on “inaccurate” data and will “negatively” affect relations between the Gulf state and Belgium.
Al Jazeera has reached out to Qatari officers for a touch upon the extradition and the newest expenses.
Belgium’s federal prosecutor stated it expects the investigation to be accomplished by the tip of the 12 months.
