Qatargate suspects were remanded in custody on February 16 despite desperate pleas by their lawyers.
Judges decided Eva Kaili, the former vice president of the European Parliament, and Marc Tarabella, a Belgian MEP, arrested last week, should remain behind bars because there was a risk of them “making proof disappear” or “colluding” with other accused in the bribery scandal.
Kaili has hired celebrity lawyer Sven Mary, who told a courthouse packed with journalists that her place was “with her child” (a two-year-old). The plight of the young mother – and the young father, who is also behind bars – has received some sympathy in the Belgian press, and also among Kaili’s fellow MEPs, who signed a letter of support. But judges were unimpressed, sending her down for at least another two months’ preventative custody (the decision is expected to be appealed; both Kaili and Tarabella deny the charges). The child is being cared for by a grandfather, according to media reports.
An attempt by Tarabella’s lawyer to have investigating judge Michel Claise removed from the case is pending. The lawyer alleges the judge has violated the principle of presumption of innocence via an arrest warrant which was leaked to media – as is often the case in high-profile criminal cases in Belgium.
The prosecution has gathered evidence from alleged Qatargate kingpin Pier Antonio Panzeri, a former Euro MP, who has not requested bail despite prior suggestions that he could be released under electronic surveillance in exchange for cooperation. Lawyers for the accused attacked Panzeri as “completely untrustworthy”, though the prosecuting team has been listening to what he has to say (their extradition request against Panzeri’s family members has been dropped).
According to Euractiv, Kaili is now accused of participation in a criminal organisation; she previously faced charges of bribery and money laundering. The Brussels Signal has asked Mr Mary to comment on this story. Kaili denies all charges.
It follows the leaked warrant, which according to a Politico article from February 16 claims a “quadrumvirate” of Euro MPs coordinated actions to subvert the work of a Parliament committee with regards to the human rights record of Qatar. Further accusations focus on Morocco and its relations with the committee. Those named as members of the quadrumvirate deny the charges other than Belgian Euro MP Maria Arena, who has not answered a request for comment though has previously denied any wrongdoing.
