Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino has been placed under house arrest for possible involvement in the EU corruption scandal. A judge in Naples decided on Saturday evening to release the 60-year-old. Cozzolino was arrested on Friday evening due to a European arrest warrant. Belgian investigators have accused him of being paid by third countries such as Morocco or Qatar to influence European Parliament decisions in favor of those countries. The southern Italian protests his innocence.
Cozzolino’s lawyers spoke of a “humiliating and unfounded” measure regarding the arrest, as quoted by the Ansa news agency. Since December, when the alleged scandal broke, her client has always agreed to cooperate with the detectives. His immunity as a Member of the European Parliament has recently been waived.
In their arrest warrant, the public prosecutor of Brussels demands the extradition of Cozzolino to Belgium. A hearing was scheduled for Tuesday morning before the Naples Court of Appeal. An arrest judge initially saw no danger of the man’s escape over the weekend and was therefore placed under house arrest after a night in jail.
In December, the EU Parliament was rocked by the corruption scandal involving then Vice President Eva Kaili. She lost her job on suspicion of corruption. Justice suspects Kaili and other suspects of involvement in a criminal organization, money laundering and corruption. It concerns alleged influence on decisions by Qatar and Morocco. (aeg/sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
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.
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