Fri Mar 14 04:46:57 UTC 2025: ## EU Parliament Rocked by New Corruption Probe Linked to Huawei
**Brussels, Belgium** – Belgian authorities have launched a major corruption investigation targeting the European Parliament and Chinese tech giant Huawei, resulting in several arrests and searches across Belgium and Portugal. The Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office announced Thursday that the arrests stem from an alleged bribery scheme involving “active corruption” within the Parliament to benefit Huawei.
The investigation alleges that illicit payments, disguised as legitimate expenses such as conference fees, were made regularly and discreetly from 2021 to the present. These payments allegedly took various forms, including remuneration for specific political stances and lavish gifts such as meals, travel, and sports event tickets. Prosecutors suspect money laundering may also be involved.
Searches were conducted at 21 locations, and a judge subsequently ordered the sealing of two parliamentary assistants’ offices at the European Parliament headquarters in Strasbourg. While the identities of the suspects remain undisclosed to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation and the presumption of innocence, prosecutors confirmed that the investigation is focusing on uncovering evidence of money laundering.
This new scandal comes less than three years after a separate bribery scandal involving Qatar and Morocco implicated several EU lawmakers and aides. While that investigation is ongoing, one individual, Pier Antonio Panzeri, has already pleaded guilty.
Huawei and the European Parliament have yet to issue public statements on the matter. The investigation is expected to continue, with further details likely to emerge as the probe progresses.
First Piper 