Huawei Bribery Allegations Shake EU Parliament

2025-03-13 23:55:11

Huawei Bribery Allegations Shake EU Parliament

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Huawei is under scrutiny for allegedly bribing members of the European Parliament to gain favorable treatment. Police operations in Belgium and Portugal have resulted in multiple arrests connected to corruption, forgery, and money laundering. Authorities have focused on the involvement of over a dozen parliamentarians since 2021, following similar issues in the 'Qatargate' scandal. Offices of several parliamentary assistants, particularly those linked to Marco Falcone and Nikola Minchev, were sealed during the investigation. Belgian police executed searches at Huawei's Brussels headquarters and various homes.

The European Union has previously warned its members about potential security risks associated with Huawei equipment. Transparency advocates criticize the European Parliament for fostering a 'culture of impunity'. Despite these serious allegations, Huawei has not yet commented on the situation. The investigation has raised significant concerns about the influence of foreign entities within EU institutions and the integrity of its members.

A significant corruption scandal has emerged involving Huawei, the Chinese tech giant, and its alleged influence within the European Parliament. Since 2021, Huawei lobbyists are suspected of bribing Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and staff with money and gifts. These actions aimed to sway political decisions in favor of Huawei's interests. The Brussels public prosecutor's office has been leading a wide-ranging investigation that includes raids and arrests in Belgium and Portugal. The scandal is linked to the previous Qatar Gate affair, which involved similar allegations of bribery to promote foreign interests in the EU. The ongoing investigation has focused on forgery, money laundering, and organized crime, with Belgian authorities conducting 21 house searches. Transparency International has criticized the European Parliament for its ethical lapses and called for reforms. While no current MEPs have been named as suspects, the investigation could potentially affect them, with some possibly facing the lifting of their diplomatic immunity. Huawei, already under sanctions from Western countries due to espionage concerns, has not commented on these allegations. The European Parliament has pledged full cooperation with the investigation, which could further damage its reputation following the Qatar Gate case. The EU Commission has been cautious about Huawei, labeling the company as a security risk due to its alleged connections to the Chinese government. This scandal highlights ongoing concerns about foreign influence within EU institutions and the need for stringent ethical guidelines.

Recent arrests by Belgian prosecutors have unveiled a significant bribery scandal involving Huawei, a major Chinese telecommunications company. Investigations reveal that lobbyists associated with Huawei allegedly bribed EU lawmakers to promote the company’s interests, raising serious concerns about corruption within the European Parliament. Valerio Ottati, identified as a key Huawei lobbyist, faces serious allegations as part of this unfolding case. The scandal follows the notorious Qatargate, further tarnishing the reputation of the EU Parliament. Daniel Freund, an EU Greens lawmaker, has highlighted the heightened corruption risks prevalent in Brussels. In a decisive response, the European Parliament has temporarily banned Huawei lobbyists, citing confirmed bribery allegations. Reports indicate that EU parliamentarians and their aides were offered money and lavish gifts, including extravagant trips and invitations to high-profile sporting events, since 2021. Belgian federal police executed searches in Belgium and Portugal, probing Huawei's operations in Brussels. Huawei, which spends over two million euros annually on lobbying efforts after being excluded from 5G contracts, has emphasized its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy regarding unethical practices. Critics, including EU experts, have condemned the Parliament's ethics system as inadequate, arguing that it fosters an environment ripe for corruption. The existing framework fails to deter misconduct, with MEPs often juggling conflicting interests. As investigations continue, the EU faces mounting pressure to restore its integrity and address underlying transparency issues.

Deutsche Welle

13. März 2025 um 17:33

China's Huawei suspected of links to bribery in EU Parliament

Politics

Technology

Huawei suspected of bribing EU Parliament members to promote its interests. Police raids in Belgium, Portugal led to arrests over corruption, forgery. Alleged bribery benefited Huawei since 2021, say prosecutors. Scandal follows 'Qatargate'; former assistant implicated, over a dozen parliamentarians investigated. EU urged members to avoid Huawei equipment over security concerns. Transparency advocates, including Transparency International EU's Nicholas Aiossa, criticize Parliament's 'culture of..

The Guardian

13. März 2025 um 17:20

‘Several people’ arrested in EU bribery investigation linked to Huawei

Politics

Technology

Belgian prosecutors' Huawei bribery probe has led to several arrests and searches. Suspected forgery, money laundering, and corruption within the European Parliament are involved. 15 MEPs were reportedly on investigators' radar, according to Follow the Money. Maria Arena was charged in the investigation, as was Eva Kaili, implicated in Qatargate. Pier Antonio Panzeri, also linked to Qatargate, is being investigated for similar activities.

EuroNews

13. März 2025 um 18:37

European Parliament assistants' offices probed in alleged Huawei bribery case

Politics

Belgian authorities are investigating alleged bribery by a Chinese tech company (Huawei) in EU Parliament offices. Offices of assistants to Marco Falcone and Nikola Minchev were sealed, with authorities accessing them without notification due to lack of immunity. Belgian police searched Huawei's Brussels headquarters and 21 homes in Belgium, Portugal as part of the operation. Investigation involves alleged bribery, forgery, money laundering, and criminal organization involvement.

EuroNews

13. März 2025 um 20:02

Offices of Three EP Advisors 'Sealed Over Bribery Allegations Against Huawei'

Politics

Finance

The offices of parliamentary advisors from the European People's Party (EPP) and Renew Europe were sealed by the Belgian judicial authorities on allegations of receiving bribes from Huawei. As part of the investigation, the Belgian police searched the headquarters of the Chinese technology giant Huawei in Brussels and other locations.

morgenpost

13. März 2025 um 19:17

Geld, Tickets, Reisen: Wieder Korruptionsaffäre im EU-Parlament

Politik

Finanzen

Technologie

Großrazzia in Belgien und Portugal: Lobbyisten sollen Abgeordnete und Parlamentsmitarbeiter bestochen haben, um Handelspolitik für Huawei zu beeinflussen; Ermittlungen wegen Bestechung und Geldwäsche; mehrere Festnahmen; Immunität der Abgeordneten muss aufgehoben werden; Verbindungen zum Katargate-Skandal und zur Parlamentsgruppe EU40; Huawei hat in Europa Probleme wegen Sicherheitsrisiken in Mobilfunknetzen.

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China's Huawei suspected of links to bribery in EU Parliament

‘Several people’ arrested in EU bribery investigation linked to Huawei

European Parliament assistants' offices probed in alleged Huawei bribery case

Offices of Three EP Advisors 'Sealed Over Bribery Allegations Against Huawei'

Geld, Tickets, Reisen: Wieder Korruptionsaffäre im EU-Parlament

Huawei Bribery Allegations Shake EU Parliament

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Huawei Bribery Allegations Shake EU Parliament

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