Belgian MEP Tarabella Placed Under House Arrest in Corruption Case

Tarabell was placed under house arrest and will have to wear an electronic monitoring bracelet.

The imminent release of Belgian MEP Tarabella will mean that former EP Vice-President Eva Kaili is the latest suspect still in custody in the corruption case.

Kaili’s bail application will be heard on Thursday.

Last week, former MEP Antonio Panceri, who is considered the main organizer of a corruption scheme to lobby the interests of Qatar and Morocco, was released from custody.

The corruption scandal in the EP began in December, when the then vice-president of the EP, Eva Kaili, and her accomplice Francesco Giorgi, who was once Panceri’s assistant, were arrested along with Panceri.

Giorgi was later an assistant to MEP Andrea Coccolino, and Coccolino was later arrested as part of this investigation. MEP Mark Tarabella was also detained.

The arrest was made on suspicion of possible participation in a criminal organization, money laundering and corruption.

As part of the corruption investigation, the Belgian authorities searched several addresses in December, including the homes of MEPs and former MEPs, and confiscated 1.5 million euros in cash.

They are accused of influencing the decisions of the EP parliament in favor of Qatar and Morocco.

The Panzers signed a plea deal with prosecutors in January, agreeing to fully cooperate with investigators in exchange for a reduced jail term and fine.