ROME -- Antonio Panzeri, former MEP for the Democrats of the Left and president of the ONG “Fight Impute” was arrested last Friday, by Belgian Federal Attorney, together with Niccolò Figà-Talamanca secretary of ONG “No peace without justice”, Eva Kaili greek EU parliament vice-president and Francesco Giorgi, a former assistant of Panzeri and partner of Kaili for criminal association, money laundering, and bribery. 

 Giorgi recently admitted his responsibility in the Qatar bribery scandal, and told Le Soir, a Belgian newspaper that worked with La Republica to investigate the case and accuse Panzeri, of how the ONGs were used to “move cash” from Qatar to their pockets. 

 In his home, police found over €900,000, that together with the €600,000 found at Panzeri’s, were allegedly being used to influence EU decisions on Qatar’s Visa liberalization and an aviation deal dating back to 2021. 

 According to Giorgi, Morocco is also involved in the gate. The foreign intelligence agency of Morocco (Degd) and Moroccan ambassador in Poland, Abderrahim Atmoun, were brought to attention in the recent scandal. In response to this, the Belgian Minister of Justice, Vincent Van Quickenborne, allegedly referred to Belgian media, that Morocco’s bribes and gifts to influence Europe’s decisions are likely higher than the sums found. 

 Council Chamber of the Court in Brussels announced its first conclusions: Antonio Panzeri and Francesco Giorgi, will remain in prison custody for at least one month, Niccolò Figà will be released with an ankle bracelet, and Eva Kaili requested and obtained the postponement of the decision until Dec. 22.

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