Belgian police raid Huawei HQ amid new probe into alleged EU corruption

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.

Read next

16:51

South Caucasus

Armenia to create defense attaché positions for EU and Belgium

The Armenian Cabinet has approved the creation of defense attaché positions for the European Union and Belgium.

10:56

Bridge Collapse

One dead in highway bridge collapse in Belgium

14:12

World News

Belgian workers strike over pension reforms, halting air traffic

Thousands of Belgians took to the streets on Thursday to protest the new government’s proposed pension reforms, kicking off a multi-day strike that brought the country’s air traffic to a standstill.

17:01

Destinations

Nationwide strike in Belgium hits airports

Belgium’s two largest airports, Brussels Airport and Charleroi Airport, have confirmed that no departing passenger flights will operate on February 13 due to a nationwide strike. Cancellations are also possible on arriving flights. Impacted passengers will be notified by their airline.

14:55

Belgium

Belgium forms new nationalist-led government

Belgium's new government was officially formed on Monday. This marks a historic moment as N-VA leader Bart De Wever becomes the first Flemish nationalist prime minister.