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.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has postponed the next presidential election by several months, fueling speculation about his intention to seek a second term. The move allows him to complete his full six-year mandate and marks a potential shift toward greater political consolidation.
Türkiye has firmly rejected Greece's unilateral actions and claims regarding maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that these actions will have no legal consequences for Ankara.
A passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday on the Congo River, killing at least 50 people and leaving hundreds more missing, officials confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near the northwestern town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A new wave of attacks targeting French prisons has emerged overnight, with cars set on fire at several facilities, including at the Tarascon prison in southern France.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to visit Russia on Thursday, ahead of a second round of talks between Tehran and the United States regarding Iran's nuclear program. According to Russia’s RIA state news agency, Araqchi will meet with senior Russian officials during the visit.
A small plane crashed near Kopake, New York, on April 13, killing at 6 people. The Mitsubishi MU-2B aircraft, carrying six people, went down under unclear circumstances. This marks the second aviation accident in New York in a week, raising safety concerns.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for April 10th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A quiet Thursday afternoon at St. Peter’s Basilica turned into something extraordinary, as visitors caught a rare glimpse of Pope Francis — not in his familiar white papal robes, but dressed in black trousers and a striped blanket.
In a dramatic about-face, U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday announced a 90-day pause on newly implemented tariffs for dozens of countries — a move that eased market turmoil but further escalated tensions with China.
Several regions in Ukraine faced heightened alert on Palm Sunday, as reports of explosions and missile threats drew public attention and official responses.
U.S. President Donald Trump will personally attend a key meeting with Japanese trade officials on Wednesday, signaling his direct involvement in negotiations stemming from his recent wave of tariffs on global imports.
Türkiye has firmly rejected Greece's unilateral actions and claims regarding maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that these actions will have no legal consequences for Ankara.
A passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday on the Congo River, killing at least 50 people and leaving hundreds more missing, officials confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near the northwestern town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A new wave of attacks targeting French prisons has emerged overnight, with cars set on fire at several facilities, including at the Tarascon prison in southern France.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to visit Russia on Thursday, ahead of a second round of talks between Tehran and the United States regarding Iran's nuclear program. According to Russia’s RIA state news agency, Araqchi will meet with senior Russian officials during the visit.
Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov has postponed the next presidential election by several months, fueling speculation about his intention to seek a second term. The move allows him to complete his full six-year mandate and marks a potential shift toward greater political consolidation.
Türkiye has firmly rejected Greece's unilateral actions and claims regarding maritime spatial planning (MSP) in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, asserting that these actions will have no legal consequences for Ankara.
A passenger boat caught fire and capsized late Tuesday on the Congo River, killing at least 50 people and leaving hundreds more missing, officials confirmed Wednesday. The tragedy occurred near the northwestern town of Mbandaka in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A new wave of attacks targeting French prisons has emerged overnight, with cars set on fire at several facilities, including at the Tarascon prison in southern France.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi is set to visit Russia on Thursday, ahead of a second round of talks between Tehran and the United States regarding Iran's nuclear program. According to Russia’s RIA state news agency, Araqchi will meet with senior Russian officials during the visit.
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