Concise Summary:
Belgian police conducted raids targeting individuals suspected of engaging in corrupt practices related to lobbying for Chinese tech giant Huawei. The investigation alleges that these individuals used “commercial lobbying” as a cover for bribery, including providing excessive gifts and favors to European Parliament members. The probe is linked to alleged corruption from 2021 to the present, with police seizing several addresses and detaining suspects in Belgium, Portugal, and France. Huawei has expressed its commitment to complying with all laws, stating it takes the allegations seriously. While no MEPs have been directly targeted, the investigation focuses on a broader criminal organization aiming to uncover money laundering. The raids were initiated by the prosecutor’s office after obtaining a judge’s approval to seal two offices within the European Parliament.
Key Points:
- Here are five key points extracted from the provided text:.
- • Belgian police conducted raids targeting several addresses in connection with an investigation into alleged corruption within the European Parliament.
- • The investigation suggests that Huawei engaged in corrupt practices disguised as commercial lobbying and aimed to influence EU trade policy through bribes of current or former MEPs.
- • The prosecutor’s office has accused individuals of using various forms of bribery, including compensation for political positions, excessive gifts like food and travel expenses, and invitations to sporting events.
- • The investigation focuses on a suspected criminal organization operating within the European Parliament with allegations of forgery and misuse of forged documents.
- • Huawei maintains that it has a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and is committed to complying with all applicable laws.
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Original Link: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce98ydrpy7no
User Message: ‘Huawei lobbyists’ held in Belgium raids over EU corruption
Belgian police have raided several locations in the country as part of an investigation into corruption within the European Parliament.
Prosecutors said the alleged corruption was “under the guise of commercial lobbying”, and that several people had been detained for questioning.
According to officials, an address in Portugal was also searched by local police in relation to the case.
Belgian newspaper Le Soir said the investigation was linked to Chinese tech giant Huawei and its activities in Brussels since 2021. The BBC has approached Huawei for comment.
“Corruption was allegedly practiced regularly and very discreetly from 2021 to the present day, under the guise of commercial lobbying and taking various forms, such as compensation for political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses, or regular invitations to football matches,” the prosecutor’s office explained.
The investigation focuses on “active corruption within the European Parliament” as well as “forgery and use of forged documents”, all within the framework of a “criminal organisation”, the prosecutor’s office said, adding that it was also looking to uncover possible money laundering.
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