„It is sickening that Eva Kaili can show up in European Parliament”

It's shocking how the corruption scandal's suspects keep coming out of jail one after the other, Fidesz MEP Tamas Deutsch told our newspaper.

Brüsszel, 2023. április 14. Házi õrizetbe szállítják a korrupcióval vádolt Eva Kaili volt görög szocialista párti európai parlamenti alelnököt a brüsszeli Haren börtönbõl 2023. április 14-én. A háttérben Mihalisz Dimitrakopulosz, Kaili egyik védõügyvédje. A belga hatóságok az elõzõ napon jelentették be, hogy brüsszeli házi õrizetbe szállítják a vizsgálati fogságban levõ Kailit, és elektronikus nyomkövetõvel látják el. Az idõközben leváltott EP-alelnököt még december 9-én tartóztatták le a belga hatóságok egy korrupciós ügyben indított nyomozás során, másokkal együtt. MTI/EPA/Olivier Hoslet Fotó: Olivier Hoslet

„It is shocking that after such a serious case, the suspected politicians keep coming out of jail one after the other, and they're continuing their activities," Fidesz MEP Tamas Deutsch told our newspaper. The politician reacted to the news that Eva Kaili, the main suspect of the EU's biggest graft scandal, will be able to attend the plenary session of the European Parliament (EP) and even vote, thanks to a court order. Although Ms Kaili hasn't showed up yet - precisely in order to avoid any attention from journalists, as press reports suggest- the fact that she can do so is sickening in and of itself,” Mr Deutsch said.

It is also shocking that another protagonist of the Brussels corruption scandal, the Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella, recently voted in favor of a resolution accusing Hungary of political corruption,

− the Hungarian MEP has said. He stressed that the EU's decision-makers are the beneficiaries of corruption in Brussels, whom we should get rid of during next year's EP elections. Tamas Deutsch also underlined that a radical change is needed in order to eradicate systemic corruption in Brussels.

Researcher Akos Bence Gat shared a similar opinion.

The behavior of MEPs Eva Kaili and Marc Tarabella raises serious credibility issues for the European Parliament, the current majority of which is putting political pressure on member states on the grounds of graft problems,

− the Danube Institute's head of external relations, a researcher at Hungary's National University of Public Service, told our newspaper.

Ms Kaili was among the first to be detained last December in Brussels' corruption scandal during an investigation into Qatar, when she handed over a suitcase full of money to her father in a hotel. As is known, several current and former MEPs - as well as one of their assistants - were put behind bars on preliminary charges of corruption, money laundering and conspiracy. According to Belgian police, authorities have seized nearly one and a half million euros during house searches in and around Brussels because, according to the accusations, the politicians had accepted millions of euros from Qatar and Morocco to influence European decision-making in their favor. The other main suspect of Brussels' graft scandal is former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri. Law enforcement found some €600,000 in cash during a search of his property, and it was Mr Panzeri who revealed precisely which MEPs had received gifts and kickbacks. 

Despite the court ruling, Ms Kaili will not appear at the EP's Strasbourg session this week, according to the Brussels-based Politico news agency. 

Her lawyers cited personal reasons for her absence, which they did not specify. However, referring to EP President Roberta Metsola, political journalist Eddy Wax took to Twitter to announce that Ms Kaili had made a formal request to maintain her parliamentary immunity.

Cover photo: Former Greek Socialist Party VP of the European Parliament Eva Kaili, accused of corruption, is transferred to house arrest from Haren prison in Brussels on 14 April 2023 (Photo: MTI/EPA/Olivier Hoslet)