Eva Kaili, the former vice-president of the European Parliament, remains in prison after being heard by justice on Thursday. According to the investigators, the former socialist transformation Pier Antonio Panzeri and Francesco Giorgi, his former parliamentary assistant, also detained, were at the heart of the criminal organization brought to the justice.
By Philippe Jacqué (Brussels, European office)
Eva Kaili will have to return to Haren prison, north of Brussels. The Greek MEP, deprived on December 13 from its function as vice-president of the Parliament, was heard on Thursday, December 22. And the council chamber decided to maintain pre -trial detention, at least one more month. The protests of his lawyers did nothing. “She disputes any personal corruption,” said André Risopoulos, his lawyer in Brussels on Thursday. With his colleague, Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, they have not yet said if they wanted to appeal the decision.
In the vast investigation carried out since summer by judge Michel Claise on a case of corruption and money laundering targeting members of the European Parliament, which made it possible to get their hands on 1.5 million euros in cash, They have been four protagonists behind bars in Belgium since December 9. Besides M me kaili, the ex -socialist surgery Pier Antonio Panzeri and Francesco Giorgi, his former parliamentary assistant -also a companion of M me kaili -have already seen their Prolonged pre-trial detention on December 14, until mid-January. These two actors are at the heart of the criminal organization uncovered by Belgian justice.
On the other hand, Niccolo Figa-Talamanca, the leader of the NGO window No Peace Without Justice , had obtained the right to get out of prison and have an electronic bracelet. The next day, the federal prosecutor’s office had appealed, and Belgian justice will rule on its fate on December 27. Mr. Figa-Talamanca directs an association that hosts the NGO fight impunity , a structure co -founded and directed by Mr. Panzeri and which is at the heart of the corruption system.
extradition request from Mr. Panzeri
Belgium also asked for the extradition of Italy of the woman and the daughter of the ex-deputy. On Monday, Italian justice agreed for the extradition of Maria Dolores Colleoni, Mr. Panzeri’s wife, but still reserves her answer concerning her daughter, Silvia Panzeri. A decision is expected on January 3. Belgian justice suspects them of knowing the activities of Mr. Panzeri and having helped him. According to Le Soir, telephone listening operated by Belgian secret services show that the two women participated in the collection, especially in Morocco, of products on behalf of Mr. Panzeri. The two women deny these accusations.
For the moment, the investigation draws a relatively rudimentary corruption system. Since 2014, with Morocco, then 2018, with Qatar, Pier Antonio Panzeri and Francesco Giorgi collected funds and products to corrupt personalities within the European Parliament and try to protect the image of these countries. Apart from M me kaili, no European deputy has so far been questioned by judge Claise.
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