Eva Kaili has been accused of accepting a bribe from World Cup hosts Qatar. The EU leader defends herself against the allegations. Through her lawyer, she spreads a different version of the story.
Former Vice-President of the European Parliament Eva Kaili, who is suspected of corruption, has stated that the large amount of cash in her Brussels apartment belonged neither to her nor to her partner, but to a third party. That's what Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, one of her lawyers, told the Greek TV channel Skai on Wednesday evening.
"Ms. Kaili asked her partner what the money was," said Dimitrakopoulos. The partner replied that the money belonged to someone else. "Following this, Ms. Kaili said she would not allow funds belonging to anyone else to be kept in the shared apartment." For this reason, Kaili's father took the bag with money and made his way to a hotel, where the unnamed recipient should have turned up.
According to the information, Kaili wants to plead not guilty. Dimitrakopoulos revealed part of the strategy in an interview with another Greek broadcaster: "Countries like Qatar, Kuwait or Oman had no reason to give Ms Kaili money because she had nothing to offer them," he said. You give money if you get something in return. Ms. Kaili, however, only implemented the policies of the EU Parliament, he told Open TV.
The Belgian judiciary has been investigating suspected corruption, money laundering and foreign influence in the vicinity of the European Parliament for months. It is said that the Gulf Emirate of Qatar, which is currently hosting the soccer World Cup, tried to influence political decisions with gifts of money and goods.
Since Friday, the Belgian judiciary has arrested six suspects, two of whom are now free. On Sunday, however, an investigating judge issued an arrest warrant against Kaili and the three others. They are accused of involvement in a criminal organization, money laundering and corruption.
