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European Parliament to waive immunity of two MEPs in corruption scandal

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The European Parliament announced on Monday (2 January) that it has begun a procedure for waiving the immunity of two members following a request by Belgian judiciary to investigate a European Union/Qatar corruption scandal.

According to two sources, the MEPs in question were Marc Tarabella from Belgium and Andrea Cozzolino from Italy.

Roberta Metsola, president of Parliament, stated on Twitter that she had launched an urgent procedure to waive immunity for two European Parliament members in response to a request by the Belgian judicial authorities.

"There will be no impunity," she said, "none."

Maxim Toller, Tarabella’s lawyer, stated that his client wanted to be stripped of his immunity. Tarabella, who denied wrongdoing earlier, stated in a statement that he had "absolutely no to hide" and would respond to any questions from the investigators.

Cozzolino told Italian news agencies last month that he wasn't under investigation. "I have not been interrogated." He said that he had not been searched or sealed his office.

Two sources who were directly familiar with the matter revealed to Reuters in December that Francesco Giorgi and his partner were the main suspects in the investigation. They ousted European Parliament vice president Eva Kaili, whose partner admitted to accepting bribes from Qatar to affect European Parliament decisions regarding Qatar.

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Sources claim that Giorgi, a EU parliamentary assistant, claimed he believed Tarabella had received money from Qatar. Kaili denied any wrongdoing.

Reuters couldn't determine if Giorgi provided evidence to support his claims against Tarabella or Cozzolino.

A Belgian judge decided that Kaili would be in custody for a further month while the investigation continues into the corruption case surrounding World Cup host Qatar. This is one of the most serious graft corruption scandals to hit Europe.

Kaili, a Greek national, is also accused in Qatar of accepting bribes. Her lawyer has already stated that she is innocent.

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