A reputed leader of a criminal network implicated in an EU corruption scandal has agreed to disclose the countries involved and the network’s operational structure.
As per prosecutors, Pier Antonio Panzeri agreed to the plea agreement under a law pertaining to informants that has only been invoked once before in Belgium.
A former European Parliament member is one of four individuals detained in Belgium.
They are suspected of taking bribes from Qatar and Morocco in exchange for exerting influence over the Brussels Parliament.
Qatar has vehemently denied that it attempted to gain influence through gifts and money, while Morocco has vehemently denied that it attempted to gain influence over contentious topics such as fishing rights and the status of Western Sahara.
During a series of raids on an apartment, a house, and a hotel, police confiscated approximately €1.5 million (£1.3 million) in cash. The police revealed photographs showing €200, €50, €20, and €10 banknotes, as well as a bag recovered in the hotel that was filled with cash.
Among the other suspects are the Greek MEP Eva Kaili, who has been removed from her vice-presidential position, her partner Francesco Giorgi, and the lobbyist Niccol Figà -Talamanca.
After Mr. Panzeri, age 67, departed the House of Representatives, he became the leader of a lobbying group called Fight Impunity. Mr. Figà -Talamanca worked for a distinct NGO out of the same office in Brussels.
According to a statement from the federal prosecutor of Belgium, the former member of the European Parliament agreed to the plea bargain under a law modeled after an Italian provision enabling repentant mafia members, or “pentiti,” to turn state witness.
A spokesperson stated that he faced a year in prison, as opposed to a “far worse prison sentence,” as well as a fine and the forfeiture of €1 million in assets.
In exchange, he would be asked to reveal the operation of the network, the financial agreements with the countries in question, and “the involvement of known and unknown persons in the inquiry, including the identities of the individuals he admits to having bribed.”
The plea agreement was made public a day after an Italian court agreed to extradite the 38-year-old daughter of the ex-Member of the European Parliament, on suspicion of her role in the scandal.
The same court in the northern Italian city of Brescia determined last month that Mr. Panzeri’s wife, Maria Colleoni, may also be extradited, but Italy’s highest court of appeal will make the ultimate decision. The two women are currently under house arrest and deny corruption and money laundering claims.
Along with the others, the Greek MEP Eva Kaili, who also denies involvement in the affair, is suspected of accepting bribes from Qatar in exchange for influencing EU policymaking.
Last month, her partner, Francesco Giorgi, reportedly admitted his role in the affair.
However, Mr. Panzeri’s reference to unidentified individuals within the probe suggests that additional discoveries are imminent.
Prosecutors in Belgium have already sought to revoke the immunity of two other center-left MEPs. Marc Tarabella of Belgium and Andrea Cozzolino of Italy.
The attorneys for both MEPs have denied any involvement in the issue, but the request is currently being evaluated by the legal affairs committee of the European Parliament.