Belgian police have conducted a series of raids across the country as part of an investigation into alleged corruption within the European Parliament, targeting high-stakes lobbying ties with Chinese tech giant Huawei.
Belgian police have conducted a series of raids across the country as part of an investigation into corruption within the European Parliament.
The European Parliament is one of the main institutions of the 'one of the main institutions of the European Union' , responsible for representing the interests of EU citizens.
Comprising 705 members elected by proportional representation, it plays a crucial role in shaping EU policies and legislation.
The Parliament has powers to approve or reject EU proposals, including the annual budget.
It also has the authority to scrutinize the 'the European Commission's actions' and conduct investigations into alleged wrongdoing.
With its diverse membership and strong democratic mandate, the European Parliament is a key player in EU governance.
The alleged corruption, which is believed to have taken place under the guise of commercial lobbying, has led to several people being detained for questioning.
Corruption is a complex and multifaceted issue that affects societies worldwide.
According to Transparency International, approximately $2 trillion in bribes are paid annually, with the average person losing around $340 due to corruption.
The World Bank estimates that corruption reduces economic growth by 1-2% each year.
Corruption can manifest in various forms, including bribery, embezzlement, and nepotism.
Understanding its causes and effects is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat it.
The Scope of the Investigation
According to officials, the investigation focuses on ‘active corruption within the European Parliament‘ as well as ‘forgery and use of forged documents‘, all within the framework of a ‘criminal organisation‘. The probe is also looking into possible money laundering. An address in Portugal was searched by local police, while one person was arrested in France.
Huawei’s Response
Chinese tech giant Huawei has issued a statement saying it is taking the allegations ‘seriously‘ and will ‘urgently communicate with the investigation‘. A spokesperson for the company stated that it has a ‘zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing‘ and is committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations.
Huawei is a Chinese multinational technology company founded in 1987 by Ren Zhengfei.
The company is headquartered in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China.
Huawei specializes in telecommunications equipment and consumer electronics, including smartphones, laptops, and smart home devices.
With over $150 billion in revenue (2022), Huawei is one of the world's leading technology companies.
It operates in more than 170 countries globally, employing over 190,000 people worldwide.
Detained Lobbyists
Le Soir reported that several people suspected of being lobbyists working for Huawei were detained, over the alleged bribery of current or former members of the European Parliament (MEP) to promote the company’s trade policy. Belgian police sealed two offices inside the European Parliament at the request of the judge in charge of the case.
No MEPs Directly Targeted
A spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office told the BBC that no MEPs had been directly targeted by Thursday’s raids. However, a total of 21 raids were conducted in Brussels, Flanders, and Wallonia, according to the prosecutor’s office.
