European Parliament Faces Graft Probe Involving Huawei Amid Calls for Reform
The European Parliament faces a new graft scandal linked to Huawei after police raids in Belgium and Portugal. Preliminary investigations suggest corruption disguised as lobbying. Transparency advocates stress the need for reform following these serious allegations, especially given past scandals like “Qatargate”. Multiple arrests have occurred, with ongoing scrutiny of parliamentary practices and ethical standards within the institution.
The European Parliament is currently embroiled in a graft scandal involving allegations of corruption linked to Huawei. Following police raids in Belgium and Portugal, several individuals were detained under suspicion of engaging in corrupt activities disguised as lobbying for the Chinese tech giant. This investigation unfolds more than two years after the notorious “Qatargate” scandal, where EU officials faced accusations of accepting payments to promote foreign interests, claims which have been denied by those nations involved.
Although no EU lawmakers were among those detained during the recent raids, it has been reported that over a dozen parliamentarians are under investigation. Advocates for transparency have urged the parliament to promptly investigate these new allegations, suggesting a persistent lack of reform within the institution. The Belgian federal prosecutor confirmed that the purported bribery was intended to benefit Huawei.
Reports indicate that multiple individuals are under investigation for their involvement in active corruption, which includes forgery-related offenses. The responding Belgian authorities indicated that the alleged corrupt practices have been occurring discreetly since 2021 and manifested in various ways, including offering politicians remunerations, gifts, and extravagant invitations.
The police operation involved around 100 officers conducting 21 searches in Belgium and Portugal, targeting suspected companies associated with these alleged transactions. A former parliamentary assistant, reportedly acting as Huawei’s EU public affairs director, is at the core of this investigation. Additionally, the EU has previously identified Huawei as a notable risk in its telecommunications network security.
Critics have voiced concerns regarding the ongoing susceptibility of the EU Parliament to corruption, emphasizing the need for immediate reform. Nicholas Aiossa, director at Transparency International EU, highlighted that these latest claims undermine democratic integrity and reflect an ongoing culture of impunity. Calls for comprehensive reforms have also been echoed by Green EU lawmaker Daniel Freund, who insisted on the necessity of independent oversight regarding ethical violations within the parliament.
The ongoing investigation related to corruption within the European Parliament, particularly involving Huawei, underscores the urgent need for reform in the institution’s ethical oversight. Following the previous scandals, it appears that insufficient measures have been taken to address systemic issues within the parliament. Advocates for transparency are calling for immediate and significant reforms to restore public confidence in the integrity of legislative processes.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
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