The editorial staff of ‘Sudinfo’ has been able to view a confidential document that sheds new light on the possible involvement of MEP Marie Arena (PS) in Qatargate. Arena herself has always maintained that she had nothing to do with the affair, but the new information seems to point in a different direction.
This concerns an eleven-page police report that includes information from a State Security memorandum. It shows that Marie Arena, federal minister of pensions between 2008 and 2009, had telephone, written and physical contacts with several key players in the file, primarily with the alleged mastermind behind Qatargate: former Italian MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri.
What is ‘Qatargate’ about?
The federal public prosecutor’s office has been conducting a large-scale investigation for several months into attempts by the Gulf state of Qatar and Morocco to influence the European Parliament’s economic and political decision-making. Both countries are said to have tried to influence Parliament’s decisions and resolutions through former Italian MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri and his non-profit organization.
Not only Panzeri was charged in the case, but also his right-hand man Francesco Giorgi, his partner and Vice-President of the European Parliament Eva Kaili, the Brussels-Italian lobbyist Nicolo Figa-Talamanca, the Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella, and the Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino.
To be clear: Arena has not been prosecuted in the case, but investigators did investigate her role in the file. And they come to the conclusion that the Walloon politician worked very closely with Panzeri.
LOOK. Who is Pier Antonio Panzeri?
Quadrumvirate
A former parliamentary employee of Panzeri calls Arena a member of the “quadrumvirate”, together with European Parliament members Andrea Cozzolino, Alessandra Moretti and the Belgian Marc Tarabella. That “struck with precision, attention and efficiency” regarding Qatar.
At a certain point Panzeri invites her to go to Qatar to meet people there. This happened from May 7 to 9 last year and led to an official statement from Arena on human rights.
During the trip, Panzeri receives a Rolex from a Qatari minister. He gives the watch to Arena, just like a necklace with a rose. There is a ticket for the Football World Cup for Arena’s son.
Rewards
According to investigators, it appears that Arena was also involved “in Qatar’s calculation of rewards for the work carried out by Panzeri and advisor Francesco Giorgi in its favor.” She also appears to have “carried out tasks and projects directly for the Qatari Minister of Labor” and is also said to have held a significant amount of money that Panzeri had received from his Qatari friends.
Arena is even described as “the extension” of Panzeri. He gave her advice and instructions, organized her agenda and arranged meetings. For example, he instructed her to continue to sit on the European subcommittee on human rights “for the well-known reasons”. She replies: “I know. But they need to know that I can do anything, but I cannot accept everything.”
During a dinner in Brussels, Panzeri says that he “makes a lot of money with her help”. Arena just laughs a little.
Comment
Marie Arena does not wish to comment on the new revelations. Her lawyers only point out that to date, and according to them, she has still not been heard by the investigators.
‘Qatargate’: more than 280,000 euros in cash found with the son of Belgian MEP Marie Arena
House search of Belgian MEP in Qatargate investigation: “I am in no way involved in this file”
Free unlimited access to Showbytes? Which can!
Log in or create an account and never miss anything from the stars.