In Brussels they are watching with bated breath the developments surrounding the scandal of bribery of members and employees of the European Parliament in view of today's decisions, when it is likely to be announced whether those arrested - including Greek MEP Eva Kaili - will remain in custody or not.
Developments are running at a breakneck pace, with new revelations seeing the light of day every day. At the same time, investigations continue in the offices of European Parliament officials, most of whom, it seems, had in the past worked directly or indirectly with the environment of some of those arrested.
Ms. Kaili herself pleads not guilty through her lawyer.
On whom she "blames"
More specifically, as is evident through the defence line taken by her lawyer, Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, appears to shift the burden of responsibility regarding the allegedly favourable attitude of the European institutions towards Qatar to the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, and to the Commission itself (Borel, Johansson).
As stated in the press release of Michael Dimitrakopoulos, "Eva Kaili was in Qatar as Vice-President of the European Parliament, in the context of her duties to promote the agenda entrusted to her by the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola.
"The agenda includes the promotion of EU-Middle East relations and includes among others the possibility of visa waiver for citizens of Qatar, Kuwait, Oman. (And Ecuador was added to the vote).
" The official rapporteur of the proposal was Eric Markard, a German MEP with the Greens, and head of the LIBE Committee.
" This agenda is part of the Commission's official policy and initiative since 2019 to entrust the LIBE Committee of the EP with its promotion. It was Ilva Johansson, Commissioner for Home Affairs, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borel who initiated the relevant procedures from the European Commission to the European Parliament.
" There is incontrovertible evidence which shows that every move, contact and statement by Eva Kaili on Qatar was made in execution and implementation of the official policy of the European Union drawn up at the highest level and always with the agreement and permission of the leadership of the European Parliament. Eva Kaili on every trip to Qatar was always accompanied at every step by the European official Roberto Bendini."
Asked by Mr Dimitrakopoulos - during a television interview - about the money found in her suitcase and in her house, he claimed that Qatar had no reason to give money to Eva Kaili. "Eva Kaili has nothing to do with the money found, she was not bribed, she did not do any service to Qatar," he noted."
"They had no need for her. In fact, in January 2023, it was decided that the Emir of Qatar would go to speak at the European Parliament," she said.
What is happening with her husband
At the same time, in the first words that Ms. Kaili told the Belgian police officers who questioned her about the Qatargate case that she "fell from the clouds" and even distanced herself from her husband, stating that she had drawn his attention to his relations with the Qataris.
More specifically, according to the Star, when she was called to testify to the police, she claimed that she "fell from the clouds" as soon as she was informed about the case. She said she knew that her husband and Panchery had contacts with Qatar and had brought it to his attention.
She denies that she knew what he was doing, nor did she search his computers. "She told me I have never been bribed by Qatar or anyone else in my life," Dimitrakopoulos said, adding that "the money found in her house has nothing to do with Ms. Kaili. Her partner will explain who the money belonged to."
Source: in.gr
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