Lawyer Nikos Korogiannakis spoke to public broacaster ERT about the penalties for those who, like Eva Kaili, are involved in Qatar Gate. This particular lawyer, in fact, has knowledge of the Belgian legal system.
Mr. Korogiannakis spoke of serious misdeeds, for which, if the charges are proven, the Criminal Code provides for three to five years in prison.
On pre-trial detention
“Currently, from the information we also have from public media, the three accusations that have been made public were brought against her this afternoon. According to Belgian procedure, this pre-trial detention ordered by the investigator must be confirmed by the judicial council within 48 hours. So within these 48 hours, her defense will have access to the file that it didn’t have until now”, emphasized Nikos Korogiannakis.
“Their lawyers have access to the file only if they are remanded in custody, as happened today. Then they get access to the file for 48 hours and then the judge-investigator’s decision on pre-trial detention is confirmed or rejected by a judicial board, by people who have never seen the investigation before, never seen the papers before, and on which her lawyers address the issue,” he added.
On immunity
Regarding the issue of immunity, Mr. Korogiannakis explained that in order for the Belgian authorities to avoid it, they must arrest the MEP during the conduct of a criminal act. “By itself it means the time he commits a criminal offense, either the time he receives the bribe, because that’s what we’re talking about here, or the time he tries to conceal proceeds of crime.
We don’t know many details, but in any case, only if something like this has happened can there be a pre-trial detention decision. This is the provision contained in the Protocol on Privileges and Immunities of the European Union, which expressly states that immunity cannot be invoked when there is an arrest while committing a crime. Was there really an arrest while committing a crime? I assume that her lawyers 48 hours from now, sometime on Wednesday morning, will be called upon to explain it and fight it out in front of the judges.”
On Eva Kaili’s sentence
Regarding the penalties imposed by the charges against Ms. Kaili, Mr. Korogiannakis replied that these are serious misdemeanors. “The Criminal Code provides for three to five years in prison, if these charges are proven, i.e. passive bribery – bribery, as we call it, and the establishment and participation in a criminal organization.”
Regarding the possibility of home detention, the lawyer emphasized: “It is possible, but in order to order temporary detention, a number of conditions must be met, and the accused is the one who must explain why these conditions are met in the case of house arrest.
I suppose that the most important problem for Ms. Eva Kaili and for whom temporary detention is justified is the possibility of her and her co-accused to influence and obstruct the investigation. Accordingly, I feel there is a very strong reason not to release her immediately if these allegations are true.”
στο Google News και μάθετε πρώτοι όλες τις ειδήσειςLatest News
Trump Tariffs Jeopardize Growth: Piraeus Chamber of Commerce
The tariffs, aimed at reducing the U.S. trade deficit, are expected to have both direct and indirect effects on the European economy
EU Condemns Trump Tariffs, Prepares to Retaliate
As tensions escalate, the EU is expected to continue negotiations with Washington while preparing for potential economic retaliation.
The Likely Impact of Trump Tariffs on Europe and Greece
Trump tariffs are expected to negatively affect economic growth in the Eurozone while Greece's exports could take a hit.
Motor Oil Results for 2024: Adjusted EBITDA of 995 mln€; Proposed Dividend of 1.4€ Per Share
Adjusted EBITDA for 2024 was down 33% yoy. The adjusted profit after tax for 2024 stood at 504 million euros, a 43% decrease from the previous year
Cost of Living: Why Greece’s 3% Inflation Is Raising Alarm
Greece appears to be in a more difficult position when it comes to price hikes, just as we enter the era of Trump’s tariffs.
Fitch Ratings Upgrades the Four Greek Systemic Banks
NBG’s upgrade reflects the bank’s ongoing improvements in its credit profile, Fitch notes in its report, including strong profitability, a reduction in non-performing exposures (NPEs), and lower credit losses
Trump to Announce Sweeping New Tariffs Wednesday, Global Retaliation Expected
With Trump's announcement just hours away, markets, businesses, and foreign governments are bracing for the fallout of one of the most aggressive shifts in U.S. trade policy in decades.
Inflation in Greece at 3.1% in March, Eurostat Reports
Average inflation in the eurozone settled at 2.2%, compared to 2.3% in February
Greece’s Unemployment Rate Drops to 8.6% in February
Despite the overall decline, unemployment remains higher among women and young people.
Jerry Kalogiratos Highlights Key Role of Energy Transition and Data Demand in LNG Outlook
Energy transition and the prospects of LNG were discussed at Capital Link’s 19th Annual International Maritime Forum, during a panel discussion with Jerry Kalogiratos (Capital Clean Energy Carriers Corp.)
![ΕΛΣΤΑΤ: Αυξήθηκε η οικοδομική δραστηριότητα κατά 15,6% το Δεκέμβριο [πίνακες]](https://www.ot.gr/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/DSC9655-2-1024x569-1-90x90.jpg)
