Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino can be extradited to Belgium after a decision by the Italian judiciary because of his involvement in the bribery scandal in the European Parliament.
A court in Naples granted a corresponding request from the Brussels public prosecutor’s office, the Ansa news agency reported late on Tuesday evening. However, the defense appealed. The extradition is therefore suspended pending a decision by the Court of Cassation in Rome. Italy’s highest court has about 30 days to do so.
The 60-year-old is accused of taking money from countries such as Qatar or Morocco so that decisions by the EU parliament would be influenced in their favor. Cozzolino denies this and has been under house arrest since February. The scandal also involves former parliament speaker Eva Kaili from Greece, MEP Marc Tarabella and suspected mastermind Antonio Panzeri – both also from Italy. After their arrest, they are now released under certain conditions.
Cozzolino’s defense argues that there is no certainty that the MP would find decent prison conditions in a Belgian prison. The Belgian penal system has “outdated facilities” and “inadequate healthcare”. Prisons are also overcrowded.
(yam/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.
