European Parliament starts process to waive immunity of two more MEPs

The European Parliament has began the formal process to raise the immunity of two extra MEPs suspected of wrongdoing within the establishment’s corruption scandal.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola began the method in Strasbourg on Monday for socialist members Marc Tarabella from Belgium and Andrea Cozzolino from Italy.

“I’ve obtained requests from the competent authorities in Belgium for the parliamentary immunities of Mr. Andrea Cozzolino and Mr. Marc Tarabella to be waived. These requests have been referred to the Committee on Authorized Affairs,” she informed MEPs.

Cozzolino was, till Friday, chair of the parliament’s delegation working with the Maghreb area, which consists of Morocco – one of many international locations allegedly providing politicians money to affect decision-making within the EU.

He was additionally on the committee investigating the usage of Pegasus spy ware by third international locations, one thing that considerations Belgian MEP Saskia Bricmont, Belgian MEP.

“There is a matter associated to Morocco as a result of Morocco is suspected to have used Pegasus software program in opposition to the EU, in opposition to (French) President Macron, and in addition in opposition to the Prime Minister of Spain,” she informed Euronews.

“And so understanding that some members could be suspected to have defended its explicit pursuits and in addition the Moroccan pursuits, the query is there,” she added.

Tarabella was beforehand the vice-chair of the delegation chargeable for Arab Peninsula relations, together with with Qatar. 

The 2 deny any involvement within the scandal, dubbed Qatargate.

It was additionally simply revealed that Tarabella didn’t declare a visit to Qatar in 2020, which the nation paid for – a breach of European Parliament’s guidelines.

The establishment’s authorized affairs committee will now give the 2 MEPs an opportunity to make their case earlier than the difficulty goes to a remaining vote in February by all lawmakers. It’s virtually sure to cross.

If the method is profitable, the Belgian authorities will be capable of query the 2 suspects and produce any prices in opposition to them.