Niccolò Figà-Talamanca, the Italian director of the non-governmental organization (NGO) “No Peace Without Justice”, arrested in the so-called “Qatargate” corruption case, has been released from prison in Belgium. Niccolò Figa-Talamanca he was imprisoned for nearly two months.
The official denies any wrongdoing related to alleged attempts by Qatar and Morocco to influence European Union (EU) affairs through bribery, which are being investigated by Belgian prosecutors.
As part of the “Qatargate” corruption scandal, four defendants have been in preventive detention since late December on charges of membership of a criminal organization, corruption and money laundering. With the departure of Niccolò Figà-Talamanca, the number of detainees has been reduced to three.
It is the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Eva Kaili, who was dismissed from her position at the institution after her arrest.
Along with Kaili, his adviser and partner Francesco Giorgi and former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri have been implicated in the process and arrested in Belgium.
The investigation of the Belgian authorities allowed the seizure of suitcases with money totaling 1.5 million euros and four people were charged with the crimes of corruption, money laundering and participation in a criminal organization.
On Thursday, the European Parliament (EP) approved the waiver of the immunity of MEPs Andrea Cozzolino and Marc Tarabella, following a request from the Belgian authorities in connection with the investigation into the corruption scandal.
Source: DN
