Belgium accuses four people in corruption investigation at the European Parliament.
The European Parliament said over the weekend that it had suspended the powers and duties of one of its vice-presidents, the Greek socialist Eva Kaili, in light of the Belgian investigation.
BRUSSELS, (Reuters) - A Belgian judge on Sunday accused four people of allegedly receiving money and gifts from a Gulf country to influence decisions in the European Parliament, accusations that caused consternation in Brussels.
Prosecutors raided 16 homes and seized 600.000 euros ($631.800) in Brussels on Friday as part of an investigation into money laundering and corruption.
Initially, six people were detained. Four were charged and two released, prosecutors said in a statement. They did not name any of those involved.
Prosecutors said they had suspected for months that a Gulf state was trying to influence decisions in Brussels. A source with knowledge of the case said the state was Qatar, host of the World Cup.
A Qatari official denied allegations of possible misconduct.
"Any association of the Qatari government with the reported allegations is unfounded and seriously misinformed," the official said, adding that Qatar has worked through institution-by-institution engagement and in full compliance with international law.
The European Parliament said over the weekend that it had suspended the powers and duties of one of its vice-presidents, the Greek socialist Eva Kaili, in light of the Belgian investigation.
The Greek socialist party PASOK said in a statement that it was expelling Kaili from its ranks.
It was not immediately clear whether she had been charged in the case. Her office did not answer phone calls or respond to an email requesting comment.
Prosecutors said they also searched the home of a second EU lawmaker on Saturday, without arresting anyone. Belgian Socialist Party member Marc Tarabella confirmed it was his home and that a computer and a mobile phone were taken.
"The justice system is doing its job of gathering information and investigating, which I consider completely normal. I have absolutely nothing to hide and will answer all the investigators' questions," he stated in a press release.
The European Commissioner for Economy, Paolo Gentiloni, told Italian television Rai 3 that the case appeared to be "very serious".
"If it is confirmed that someone took money to try to influence the opinion of the European Parliament, it will truly be one of the most dramatic corruption stories in recent years," he added.
The European Parliament is due to vote this week on a proposal to extend visa-free travel to the EU to Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Ecuador. Some lawmakers have suggested that the debate and vote be postponed.
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