Belgian authorities conducted searches at the Brussels headquarters of Chinese tech giant Huawei and at 21 homes across Belgium—and even in Portugal—as part of a fresh corruption probe into alleged bribery of members of the European Parliament.
According to investigative reports from Follow the Money, Le Soir, and Knack, lobbyists working for Huawei are suspected of paying bribes to influence EU decision-making. Sources claim that around 15 current and former MEPs might be implicated in the case. The police operation, described as covert, targeted potential evidence of crimes including bribery, forgery, money laundering, and criminal organization, with documents and electronic devices being confiscated during the searches.
A 41-year-old lobbyist, Valerio Ottati, identified as a central figure in the investigation, is said to have joined Huawei six years ago after previously working for Italian MEPs on China dossiers. Belgian authorities have indicated that if the investigation implicates current MEPs, they will request that the European Parliament waive their immunity. A spokesperson for the Parliament affirmed that the institution “always cooperates fully with the judicial authorities.” To date, however, no searches have been conducted at the European Parliament itself, and no immunity waivers have been requested.
This latest probe comes at a time when the European Parliament is still grappling with the fallout from the 2022 Qatargate scandal, which exposed corruption involving cash and other benefits exchanged by some MEPs for influencing EU policies. The new allegations risk further damaging the institution’s reputation, with far-right and Eurosceptic politicians once again alleging systemic corruption within the EU.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities continue to examine the extent of Huawei’s lobbying activities and their potential influence on European policy-making, underscoring growing concerns about foreign interference in EU affairs.
Belgium has warned that newly announced U.S. import tariffs could weaken its economic growth, even as Washington presses allies to ramp up defence spending.
Belgium and Vietnam have signed agreements to collaborate on green hydrogen production during King Philippe’s historic visit to Hanoi.
Around 400 teachers and students from EU schools in Brussels staged a half-day strike Wednesday, protesting poor employment conditions for locally hired teachers. They demand union representation, pension rights, and official teacher status. A full-day strike is planned for April 1.
The Armenian Cabinet has approved the creation of defense attaché positions for the European Union and Belgium.
As part of his official visit to Iraq, Azerbaijani FM Jeyhun Bayramov met on Wednesday with Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, Speaker of the Council of Representatives of Iraq, for wide-ranging discussions on bilateral relations, regional security, and post-conflict development efforts in Azerbaijan.
The United States has quietly approved a Qatari initiative to finance salaries for Syrian public-sector workers, marking a significant shift in Western engagement with post-Assad Syria, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for an immediate end to the escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan, saying he “hopes they can stop now” after a series of deadly cross‑border strikes.
The U.S. Federal Reserve kept its benchmark federal funds rate unchanged on Wednesday, maintaining the target range at 4.25% to 4.50%, in a widely expected move as the central bank navigates a complex economic environment marked by slowing inflation, global trade tensions, and political pressure.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that an announcement related to the Gaza Strip is likely within the next 24 hours, signaling potential developments in the U.S. approach to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.
India has fired a series of missiles into Pakistani-controlled territory, in what it has described as “Operation Sindoor”
ChatGPT has rapidly emerged as one of the most influential artificial intelligence tools, transforming how we interact with technology through natural language.
Discover every major VE Day 80 event in Britain, 5‑8 May 2025—from London’s parade and fly‑past to street parties, concerts and museum exhibitions.
New Tesla registrations in Denmark collapsed 67 % in April to 180 vehicles, industry data showed Thursday, underscoring a sharp demand drop for the EV maker in one of its once-strong European markets.
Chinese e-commerce platform Temu has announced it will no longer sell goods directly from China to U.S. customers, shifting instead to U.S.-based sellers amid the closure of a long-criticized customs loophole.
The European Union is expected to announce new tariff counter-measures on Thursday targeting U.S. aerospace exports, including Boeing jets, in response to escalating trade tensions with Washington.
Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for a closely watched visit that underscores Beijing’s growing strategic alignment with Russia.
As part of his official visit to Iraq, Azerbaijani FM Jeyhun Bayramov met on Wednesday with Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, Speaker of the Council of Representatives of Iraq, for wide-ranging discussions on bilateral relations, regional security, and post-conflict development efforts in Azerbaijan.
The United States has quietly approved a Qatari initiative to finance salaries for Syrian public-sector workers, marking a significant shift in Western engagement with post-Assad Syria, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for an immediate end to the escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan, saying he “hopes they can stop now” after a series of deadly cross‑border strikes.
As part of his official visit to Iraq, Azerbaijani FM Jeyhun Bayramov met on Wednesday with Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, Speaker of the Council of Representatives of Iraq, for wide-ranging discussions on bilateral relations, regional security, and post-conflict development efforts in Azerbaijan.
The United States has quietly approved a Qatari initiative to finance salaries for Syrian public-sector workers, marking a significant shift in Western engagement with post-Assad Syria, according to three sources familiar with the matter.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for an immediate end to the escalating hostilities between India and Pakistan, saying he “hopes they can stop now” after a series of deadly cross‑border strikes.
The U.S. Federal Reserve kept its benchmark federal funds rate unchanged on Wednesday, maintaining the target range at 4.25% to 4.50%, in a widely expected move as the central bank navigates a complex economic environment marked by slowing inflation, global trade tensions, and political pressure.
U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that an announcement related to the Gaza Strip is likely within the next 24 hours, signaling potential developments in the U.S. approach to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the besieged enclave.
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