EU Parliament has opened investigation into corruption cases and suspicions related to senior Emirati officials about launching a smear campaign against Qatar
The European Union Parliament has opened an official investigation into corruption cases and suspicions involving senior officials from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to launch a smear campaign against Qatar in coincidence with hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The investigations have been initiated by European officials, in light of “dirty game” run by Abu Dhabi within the parliament’s corridors.
Senior sources revealed to Al-Quds Al-Arabi news website, citing New York Times Weekly, that European politicians had been “stunned” by the involvement of various parties in cases of extortion and attempts to influence an unjustified attack on Qatar.
Leaked documents and multiple European sources confirmed the UAE’s involvement in the “Qatargate corruption” scandal in the European Parliament. The documents highlighted that Abu Dhabi had plotted against Doha, including accusing Qatar of providing bribes to European parliamentarians, without an objective investigation, and leaked inaccurate information.
The leaked documents and evidence reveal that the UAE continues to adopt an incitement approach against many of its neighbors and use an affiliated lobby in Europe to serve this treacherous approach.
Jack Parrock, the chief press correspondent of the European Union, revealed that official investigations showed a major role played by the UAE regarding the corruption scandal that affected the European Parliament Vice-President Eva Kaili and three others.
The scandal that has already seen a Greek member of the European Parliament accused of taking bribes from a foreign government and a euro-stuffed suitcase lugged through a local hotel is not an overwrought screenplay, much as it reads like one. It is real. And it is a gift to the bloc’s critics.
In the nearly two weeks since Belgian media broke news of the probe, the affair now called “Qatargate” has given E.U.-watchers much to fret about.
Four people have been charged on suspicion of money laundering, corruption and taking part in a criminal organization on behalf of an unnamed “Gulf State”. Police found more than 1.5 million euros ($1.59 million) in cash spread between homes and the now-infamous hotel suitcase. Ten parliamentary offices have been sealed.
Qatar: ‘inaccurate’ information
A Qatari official has said that a Belgian investigation into an alleged attempt to influence the European Parliament relied on “inaccurate” information and could “negatively” impact relations between the two countries, reported Al-Jazeera.
The statement from a diplomat of Qatar’s mission to the European Union reiterated a previous rejection of attempts to associate the Gulf country with misconduct.
“Qatar was not the only party named in the investigation, yet our country has been exclusively criticised and attacked,” the statement said. “We have observed this week’s selective condemnation of our country with great alarm.”
According to media reports, Moroccan interests also face scrutiny in the investigation.
The diplomat added: “It is deeply disappointing that the Belgian government made no effort to engage with our government to establish the facts once they became aware of the allegations.”
Qatar has maintained since the allegation emerged that its government “works through institution-to-institution engagement and operates in full compliance with international laws and regulations”.
