Eva Kaili, vice president of the European Parliament, is the biggest name to be charged in a snowballing inquiry into allegations that World Cup host Qatar paid for influence in Europe.
The scandal is turning into a major test of accountability for the European Parliament, and particularly lawmakers from the Socialists and Democrats group. Much attention is being focused on MEPs and other officials who praised Qatar for labor reforms rather than condemning workers’ rights in the Gulf emirate and dangerous conditions during stadium construction.
A series of at least 16 raids by the Belgian federal police Friday netted five people they said had committed “alleged offenses of criminal organization, corruption and money laundering.” The searches yielded €600,000 in cash, plus phones and computers.
Qatar denies any involvement.
Here are the latest developments on Monday:
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