“I did everything for money I didn’t need” – with these words, Francesco Giorgi (35) pleads guilty to corruption before the court in Brussels. The partner of the deposed Vice-President of the European Parliament, Eva Kaili (44), was also arrested on corruption charges.
Now he has admitted the accusations against him, reports the Italian newspaper “La Repubblica”. According to the report, after his arrest on Saturday, the Italian admitted his responsibility in a statement, recording that he had acted illegally.
Key figure Pier Antonio Panzeri
Pier Antonio Panzeri (67), who has been a member of the European Parliament for many years, is also involved in the corruption scandal. He was also arrested.
Franceso Giorgi started working at Panzeri 13 years ago. Over the years, Panzeri became a virtual mentor to Giorgis, the reference person for the young Europhile who took his first steps in the halls of the European Parliament, writes La Repubblica. Giorgi acted as Panzeri’s assistant and remained loyal to him even when he was not re-elected in 2019 and left the EU parliament.
“Blinded by Moral Guilt”
Panzeri subsequently founded the non-governmental organization (NGO) Fight Impunity. The researchers suspect that this played a central role in the corruption scandal.
The young Giorgi from Milan was also involved in the NGO. He had agreed to take care of the organization’s finances. According to Giorgi, he did this “out of gratitude to those who let him work in politics, but also because of the money”. Although he “didn’t really need it”. This money was only for him and Panzeri, Giorgi confirmed during the interrogation.
He now regrets his actions, he said in court. He was blindsided and overwhelmed by this “moral debt to Panzeri”. Now he feels relieved after taking “this burden from his conscience”.
Giorgi demands Kaili’s release
At the same time, he tried to move Kaili out of the line of fire. Kaili was not the recipient of the money, he said, calling for her release. “I will do everything I can to ensure that my partner is released and can take care of our 22-month-old daughter.”
Her lawyer Michalis Dimitrakopoulos had previously stated that the Greek had nothing to do with the money seized from her. His client “knew nothing of the existence of this money”. She is “innocent”. Only her partner could “provide answers about the existence of this money”.
Since the arrest of Kailis and other suspects last Friday, the European Parliament has been rocked by the huge corruption scandal. On Tuesday, the EU parliament overwhelmingly dismissed the Greek MEP as vice-president. Kaili, Giorgi and Panzeri are currently in custody. (Man)
Source: Blick
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
