European Parliament strips Eva Kaili of VP role over Qatar graft scandal

[jgo]

Last edited Tue Dec 13, 2022, 09:53 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: Reuters

STRASBOURG, Dec 13 (Reuters) - The European Parliament removed Greek MEP Eva Kaili as a vice president of the assembly on Tuesday after she was accused of accepting bribes from Qatar in one of the biggest corruption scandals to hit Brussels.

Kaili has denied any wrongdoing, but European lawmakers have acted rapidly to isolate her, worrying that the Belgian investigation will badly dent the assembly's efforts to present itself as a sound moral compass in a troubled world.

Belgian prosecutors charged her and three Italians at the weekend with taking part in a criminal organisation, money laundering and corruption.

In a speech in the European Parliament on Nov. 21, at the start of the month-long World Cup, Kaili lashed out at Qatar's detractors and hailed the energy-rich Gulf state as "a frontrunner in labour rights."


Read more: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/european-parliament-lawmaker-denies-taking-bribes-qatar-lawyer-2022-12-13/

[Martin68]

1. The scale of attempted (and often successful) bribery from oil-producing Middle East countries

is staggering.

[DURHAM D]

2. Yes.

Reminds of the success of big oil companies in the US buying and owning politicians

[dembotoz]

3. doesn't seem like a lot of money spread out over a bunch of people....

corruption on a budget in europe?

[Emrys]

6. It's certainly a drop in the ocean compared to sums running into the billions

that have gone to Tory donors and pals in the UK for crooked and failed PPE contracts during the height of the COVID crisis, to name but one of the grifts that have been going on in the last few years.

That won't stop the finger-pointing, and "See! We were right to go for Brexit" from the usual suspects.

[moondust]

4. Qatar graft scandal?

Top senator seeks answers over Qatar link to $1.2bn Kushner property rescue

I'm sure it's just a coincidence.

[Uncle Joe]

5. Kicked and recommended.

Welcome to D.U. jgo