MEP corruption scandal: Parliament moves to lift two lawmaker's immunity
The European Parliament moved to lift the immunity of two MEPs on Monday, amid a major corruption scandal that has sent shockwaves through Brussels.
President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola launched an urgent procedure to waive the legal protections of two lawmakers, following a request from Belgian judicial authorities.
The scandal began in December, with the arrest of Greek MEP Eva Kaili. She is accused of accepting large sums of money to peddle influence for Qatar and Morocco at the European Parliament.
Other EU lawmakers are implicated in the alleged corruption and an investigation is ongoing in Brussels.
“From the very first moment the European Parliament has done everything in its power to assist in investigations and we will continue to make sure that there will be no impunity," Metsola said.
“Those responsible will find this Parliament on the side of the law. Corruption cannot pay and we will do everything to fight it."
On Monday, the European Parliament said Metsola had asked all services and committees to make the process of lifting immunity a priority, aiming to have it finished by 13 February.
Like in most parliaments around the world, every MEP is given parliamentary immunity. It prevents them from being sued, arrested or investigated.
The EU Parliament press service did not identify the two MEPs.
Reuters reports that they are Italian Andrea Cozzolino and Belgian Marc Tarabella, according to those familiar with the case.
The pair did not immediately respond to comment requests from the news agency.
Tarabella and Cozzolino have both denied wrongdoing and suspended their own membership of the Socialists and Democrats group (S&D) in the parliament.
Tarabella's home was raided in December.
Cozzolino
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