La Repubblica: Eva Kaili’s first statement on her release – “I’m anxiously waiting for the bracelet”

The Italian newspaper La Repubblica featureds Eva Kaili’s first statement after the news that she will be out of prison with an electronic monitoring “bracelet”.

The former vice-president of the European Parliament, one of the main defendants in the Qatargate scandal, says she is “anxious” until the “bracelet” is found, adding that on the first day after her many months in prison, she wants to spend it at home with her daughter.

Eva Kaili also stated that she will remain in Brussels and continue “the battle for her innocence”.

I am anxiously awaiting the wristband – I just want to be home with my daughter”

“I’m anxiously waiting for the electronic wristband to get out of jail. The first day I just want to be home with my daughter. All day with her. Since January I only saw her twice a month. I will remain in Brussels, I will continue to fight for my innocence” are the words of Eva Kaili as reported by La Repubblica.

Eva Kaili is expected to be released from prison on Good Friday or Easter Monday as so far there seems to be no wristband available.

Domicile

According to her lawyer, Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, Ms. Kaili will live in her apartment in Brussels near the seat of the European Parliament, apart from her partner, Francesco Giorgi, with whom she will only be able to have telephone communication, while the calls will be recorded by the authorities. Mr. Dimitrakopoulos explained that this was her wish too, as she no longer wants to have relations with her Italian partner.

The news of the release of Kaili, the last person involved in Qatargate to remain in prison for more than four months, was given to AFP by Judge Antoine Schaert of the Belgian federal prosecutor’s office. At the same time, it is worth noting that this development was announced one day before the scheduled appearance before a judge.

The 44-year-old politician and mother of a two-year-old daughter was removed from her position as vice-president of the European Parliament in mid-December, a few days after the scandal broke.