Italian court approves extradition in EU Parliament’s ‘Qatargate’ case

A suspect within the main corruption scandal rocking the European Union’s parliament may very well be handed over to Belgium, an Italian courtroom dominated.

The courtroom within the northern metropolis of Brescia determined that Maria Dolores Colleoni may very well be taken to Belgium primarily based on a European arrest warrant linking her to the scandal by way of her husband, former EU lawmaker Pier Antonio Panzeri.

The courtroom in Brescia specified that any sentence could be served in Italy.

It additionally mentioned in its choice that an allowance for home arrest may ultimately be made additionally in Belgium, the place prosecutors are investigating a plan to hawk affect on behalf of Qatar and Morocco.

Prosecutor Giovanni Benelli made the choice public with out offering particulars, however Colleoni isn’t prone to head to Belgium quickly. Her defence legal professionals have mentioned they’re contemplating an attraction to Italy’s highest courtroom.

Panzeri and three different folks had been charged 9 December with corruption, participation in a prison group and cash laundering. 

Belgian prosecutors are investigating in the event that they had been “paid giant sums of cash or supplied substantial presents to affect parliament’s selections”.

The allegations that money and presents had been exchanged for political affect are on the coronary heart of one of many greatest scandals to hit the European Parliament. 

Lawmakers final week suspended work on Qatar-related recordsdata and vowed to toughen lobbying legal guidelines. Qatar vehemently denies its involvement.

Origins of 1000’s of euros in money unclear

Colleoni’s lawyer, Angelo de Riso, advised reporters that she is “frightened” concerning the case. 

Her defence group additionally expressed concern that she is perhaps positioned below home arrest whereas in Belgium awaiting trial.

Colleoni’s legal professionals have 5 days to attraction the choice. Italy’s excessive courtroom would then have 10 days to rule on whether or not she ought to be handed over. 

“My consumer is frightened. If an individual finds herself on this scenario it’s clearly worrying,” de Riso mentioned.

In line with two European arrest warrants issued by Belgian choose Michel Claise, Panzeri is “suspected of intervening politically with members working on the European Parliament for the good thing about Qatar and Morocco, in opposition to fee.”

Colleoni, and their daughter, Silvia Panzeri, are suspected of being “absolutely conscious” of his actions and serving to to move “presents” from Morocco’s ambassador to Poland, Abderrahim Atmoun.

Prosecutors mentioned wiretaps uncovered the proof of potential crimes. They had been searching for Colleoni and her daughter’s switch to Belgium. 

The 2 ladies face 5 years in jail if discovered responsible of participation in a prison group, corruption and cash laundering, in response to the warrants.

Together with Panzeri, who leads the Struggle Impunity marketing campaign group, the 4 folks already charged embody a now-former EU parliament vp Eva Kaili and her Italian accomplice Francesco Giorgi.

Kaili stays in custody in Belgium, awaiting a listening to on Thursday. Her time period in workplace was terminated by EU lawmakers final week. Giorgi, a parliamentary advisor, can be in jail.

Panzeri’s daughter’s case was scheduled to be heard individually on Tuesday. Each ladies have been held below home arrest close to Brescia, although Colleoni was in courtroom on Monday. Panzeri himself is detained in Belgium.

On Friday, a Milan judicial supply advised AP that €17,000 had been seized throughout a search of the couple’s house — the place Colleoni is below home arrest — in Calusco d’Adda within the Bergamo province northeast of Milan. 

Police additionally seized computer systems, cellphones, watches and paperwork.

The supply spoke on the situation of anonymity as a result of they weren’t licensed to remark publicly.

In statements to the courtroom Monday, Colleoni denied the allegations offered within the arrest warrant, specifically that she benefited from presents from Qatari and Moroccan representatives, de Riso mentioned. 

The difficulty of the €17,000 discovered within the couple’s home didn’t come up, he mentioned.

Earlier than the listening to, de Riso mentioned that handing Colleoni over to Belgian authorities would violate her human rights as a result of an Italian courtroom has already conceded home arrest, and a switch to Belgium would land her in jail pending prices and trial.

Niccolo Figa-Talamanca, secretary-general of the No Peace With out Justice NGO, was additionally charged. He has been launched from jail however stays below surveillance and should put on an digital monitoring bracelet.