Qatargate: MEP Tarabela arrested in Brussels

Belgian authorities arrested MEP Marc Tarabella early Friday morning as part of an investigation linked to alleged corruption in the European Parliament, also known as Qatargate.

The representative of the Belgian prosecutor’s office confirmed the arrest of the politician.

Tarabela denies everything

Tarabela’s attorney, Maxime Toler, told Politico that his client has not yet appeared before an investigator.

Initially, Tarabela will be questioned by representatives of the police and, according to Le Soir, if deemed necessary he will appear before investigator Michel Clez.

According to Le Soir, Panzeri has testified that Marc Tarabella received around 100,000 euros in order to soften his public stance on Qatar and the emirate’s hosting of the 2022 World Cup.

On February 2, the European Parliament had lifted Tarabela’s parliamentary immunity, thus allowing the courts to proceed with his hearing, or even, if necessary, to place him in police custody.

Tarabella denies doing anything illegal.

Belgian police this morning took the MEP from his residence in Anthisnes, a community south of Liege, according to information from La Repubblica.