Justice is investigating Kaili for further allegations

As the European Public Prosecutor's Office explained, the new allegation is about suspicion of "fraud to the detriment of the EU budget", in particular with regard to the remuneration of parliamentary staff.

Justice is investigating Kaili for further allegations

As the European Public Prosecutor's Office explained, the new allegation is about suspicion of "fraud to the detriment of the EU budget", in particular with regard to the remuneration of parliamentary staff. This further allegation goes back to an investigation by the EU fraud authority Olaf. It was therefore about remuneration and in particular the remuneration of employees of MEPs.

The other member of the European Parliament concerned, Maria Spyraki, said on Thursday that she "happily accepts the request to have my immunity lifted" in order to show that there are no financial deviations of "just one euro" from her in connection with the European Parliament. The case relates to the allowances of a former staff member who "had a serious personal problem and had some absences from European Parliament meetings". Spyraki's group, the EPP, called on the MEP to fully cooperate with the European Public Prosecutor's Office.

The EU Parliament confirmed to the AFP news agency on Thursday evening that it had received a request for the immunity of two Members of Parliament to be lifted. Parliament initiated the corresponding procedure "immediately", said the press department of the European Parliament.

MEP Kaili is already involved in a corruption scandal surrounding the European Parliament and is currently in custody in Belgium. In this separate case, Kaili could not escape arrest despite parliamentary immunity as she was allegedly caught in the act.

Last Friday, Kaili was arrested in Brussels for allegations in the Qatar affair, as was her partner. According to Belgian judicial circles, searches of EUR 150,000 were found in their shared apartment, and another EUR 750,000 on Kaili's father.

The Greek and other suspects are accused of "membership in a criminal organization, money laundering and corruption". They are said to have been paid by the Gulf state of Qatar to represent their interests in the European Parliament. Qatar has denied the allegations.

As a consequence of the case, Parliament Speaker Roberta Metsola announced "far-reaching" reforms on Thursday. These included a "ban on all unofficial friendship groups, a review of compliance with our code of conduct and a thorough review of our relationships with third countries," she said. Meanwhile, the EU Parliament voted to suspend all legislative activities on Qatar.

According to a media report, Kaili's partner, who is also in custody, has already confessed. Jailed Francesco Giorgi has admitted to being part of an organization used by Qatar and Morocco to meddle in European affairs, the Belgian newspaper Le Soir reported on Thursday.

According to the Belgian newspaper, the parliamentary employee Giorgi also testified that the former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri, who is also in custody, is the head of this alleged organization. When asked by "Le Soir", Panzeri's lawyer said he did not have this information. According to the report, Giorgi accused two other MEPs of receiving money from Panzeri. Kaili has so far maintained her innocence.

Meanwhile, the Financial Prosecutor's Office in Athens launched a preliminary investigation into Kaili. Financial prosecutor Christos Bardakis ordered the investigation "on suspicion of accepting bribes and money laundering," according to legal sources.

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