Greek EU Parliament Vice President Kaili and other suspects are suspected of corruption. A possible connection to the World Cup in Qatar: Kaili praised supposed progress and defended Qatar against criticism.
Eva Kaili vigorously defended Qatar. “The World Cup in Qatar is proof of how sports diplomacy has achieved historic change in a country. With reforms that have inspired the Arab world. I alone have said that Qatar is a pioneer.”said the social democratic Kaili on November 21 in the European Parliament. “Nevertheless, some here call for discrimination against Qatar. They intimidate them and they accuse anyone who speaks to them or has contacts of corruption.”
Now the Vice President of the European Parliament and four other suspects have been arrested. Last weekend, the Belgian judiciary obtained arrest warrants for Kaili and three other people. Investigated for suspected bribery and corruption, money laundering and attempted influence on political decisions. We’re talking about “a gulf state”it should be about Qatar – which has a sports-political level with a view to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Under suspicion of corruption: EU Parliament Vice President Eva Kaili
“Sporting events are a danger for corruption in associations – but also in politics”
On November 24, three days after Kaili’s speech, the EU Parliament passed a resolution on the World Cup in Qatar. It criticizes the treatment of workers, the LGBTQIA+ community and the alleged corruption in the awarding of contracts. But it is also praised: heat protection on construction sites, the possible formation of trade unions, an in-depth dialogue and “exemplary reforms for the region”. The overall tone is moderate and reserved. The exploitation of guest workers in particular was a point of criticism at the World Cup.
“We were puzzled how strongly such elements were demanded by the social-democratic group”, says Viola von Cramon in an interview with the sports show. Von Cramon sits for the Greens in the European Parliament. “Now it is clear that major sporting events pose a risk of corruption, which can not only affect the associations, but also deeply affect politics. Qatar has apparently looked for a weak point and found it.”
MEP Viola von Cramon (Greens)
Among the suspicions: a human rights expert and a trade unionist
Another social democrat, Kaili’s partner Francesco Giorgi from Italy, is one of the accused. Giorgi is a former parliamentary assistant and specialist in human rights and foreign affairs. The trade unionist Luca Visentini is also accused of corruption, he is the former General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation ETUC and recently also made positive comments about the situation of human and labor rights in Qatar.
EU Parliament Vice President Katarina Barley (SPD) said in the daily topics that Parliament actually has stricter rules than most national parliaments. “But if criminal energy is really involved, then no code of conduct or duty of disclosure will help. Then you can only use criminal law to help.” Barley said the Socialist group would ask Kaili to be voted out of office as parliamentary vice-president.
EU Parliament member David McAllister from the CDU described the process on the Phoenix TV station as “tangible corruption scandal”. The European Parliament must now “make it very clear that this whole process must be brutally and unreservedly clarified”. The damage to the entire Parliament is great.
Qatar denies allegations
600,000 euros were confiscated during the searches in Brussels on Friday. According to media reports, the authorities later found pockets full of cash in Kaili’s apartment. Kaili was initially relieved of her duties and her assets in Greece were frozen.
Qatar’s foreign ministry has denied the allegations. “Any connection by the Qatari government to the reported allegations is baseless and gravely uninformed.” Qatar operates in accordance with applicable international laws and regulations. The semi-finals of the World Cup in Qatar begin on Tuesday.