As part of a new investigation into yet more possible corruption at the European Parliament, police raided 21 premises across Belgium and Portugal this morning. VRT News has learnt that everything centres on Chinese tech giant Huawei, which allegedly bribed MEPs and their staff. In exchange for airing favourable political views about the company, the MEPs allegedly received lunches, trips, mobile phones and football match tickets.
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21 premises in Belgium and Portugal raided: did Euro MPs get trips and lunches from Huawei to secure their support?
Colin Clapson
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The case is also said to involve corruption, money laundering, forgery and the use of forged documents. The operation has been dubbed ‘Generation’.
Influential figures in the European Parliament – including MEPs and their assistants – are suspected of defending the interests of the Chinese tech giant and of taking political positions favourable to it, in exchange for all kinds of favours and gifts.
The bribery is said to have started as early as 2021 and went on for years.
From tickets for Anderlecht to mobile phones and travel
VRT News understands gifts include invitations to Anderlecht football matches, restaurant meals, trips, excessive remunerations and mobile phones. All were paid for through intermediaries, under the guise of attending conferences.
Huawei's intention is thought to have been to counter pressure and lobbying from Washington, which wanted to exclude the Chinese telecoms giant from sensitive contracts, to contradict allegations of espionage by Huawei, and to advocate opening the European market to Chinese investment.
15 or so people possibly bribed, key figure is Belgian-Italian lobbyist
According to several sources, around 15 people may have been bribed, but no Belgians are thought to be among their number.
Several people were arrested during raids this morning. As far as we know, only people suspected of actually being involved in bribery have been arrested for now and no MPs. No searches have been caried out at the European Parliament yet. However, nothing precludes the federal prosecutor's office from requesting the lifting of the parliamentary immunity of several MPs at a later stage.
The key figure in the investigation is said to be V.O., a Belgian-Italian lobbyist. In 2019, he went to work for Huawei as director of public relations for the Huawei office handling relations with the European Parliament. Before that, he worked as an assistant to several MEPs for a period of 10 years.
Documents and belongings have been seized for further investigation.