“Eva Kaili, Ousted Vice President of the European Parliament, Plans to Resume MEP Work After Ankle Bracelet Removal in Qatargate Scandal”

Eva Kaili, the ousted Vice President of the European Parliament, wants to resume her work as an MEP next week. Her lawyers have announced this now that she no longer has to wear an electronic ankle bracelet.

The decision to remove Kaili from her ankle bracelet was taken yesterday by the Belgian Public Prosecution Service. According to the judiciary, this is a normal step in such a case. The 44-year-old Greek remains a suspect in the bribery scandal in the European Parliament, in which she is named as a pivot.

After spending four months in jail, Kaili was released last month. She then announced that she wanted to resume her work as an MEP soon.

She must then do so alone without the support of a faction; after her arrest, Kaili was expelled from the Social Democrats (S&D) faction.

PvdA MEP Mohammed Chahim is on the board of that group. He is not waiting for Kaili to return, he says in a response to NOS: “It is in the interest of our democracy that all those involved, until all facts are clear, keep their distance from parliament. I think it is scandalous that she is considering returning to parliament.”

Kaili was arrested in December for her alleged role in what has come to be dubbed ‘Qatargate’. Qatar, and possibly Morocco, would have bought influence in the European Parliament. Both countries have denied those allegations.

The police found suitcases with cash during raids and house searches. Together with three other European politicians, Kaili is suspected of corruption, money laundering and membership of a criminal organization.

One of Kaili’s lawyers confirms opposite Politico that she is not allowed to leave Belgium for the time being, so she cannot travel to Strasbourg if there is a session of the European Parliament there. But there will be a solution soon, he says to the site.