https://www.dw.com/en/european-parliament-vp-taken-into-custody/a-64047127 [svg]You need to enable JavaScript to run this app. 1. Skip to content 2. Skip to main menu 3. Skip to more DW sites * Latest videos * Latest audio Regions * Africa * Asia * Europe * Latin America * Middle East * North America * Germany Topics * Climate * Equality * Health * Human Rights * Migration * Technology Categories * Business * Science * Environment * Culture * Sports Live TV Latest audioLatest videos In focus Reichsburger Biodiversity FIFA World Cup Eva Kaili in the European ParliamentEva Kaili in the European Parliament Eva Kaili was one of five individuals arrested in connection to a corruption investigationImage: Dwi Anoraganingrum/Geisler-Fotopress/ picture alliance CrimeBelgium European Parliament VP taken into custody 12/09/2022December 9, 2022 Greek MEP Eva Kaili has been detained along with four others. An unidentified Gulf state allegedly targeted officials "with a significant political and/or strategic position" to influence the EU Parliament. https://p.dw.com/p/4KjaB Advertisement Police in Belgium have arrested Greek socialist MEP Eva Kaili, one of 14 European Parliament vice-presidents, in connection with an investigation into criminal organization, corruption, and money laundering that involves an unidentified Gulf state. Four others were also detained, including a former MEP, authorities said on Friday. The Belgian federal prosecutor's office accused the unidentified Gulf country of trying "to influence the economic and political decisions of the European Parliament.'' Belgian prosecutor spokesman Eric Van Duyse To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Gulf lobbying at EU Parliament Authorities believe the Gulf country tried to sway the European Parliament by "paying large sums of money or offering large gifts to third parties with a significant political and/or strategic position within the European Parliament." Prosecutors did not name the country involved but Belgian publications Le Soir and Knack citing "several well-informed sources" reported Qatari officials were involved in trying to corrupt a former Italian MEP from the Socialists and Democrats group. Investigators raided 16 addresses in Brussels as part of the investigation. They recovered around EUR600,000 ($633,500) in cash and seized computer equipment and mobile phones. A spokesperson for the European Parliament would not comment while an investigation was underway, but said the assembly was cooperating fully with police. 'A very sad day for the European parliament' To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Kaili expelled from party The Panhellenic Socialist Movement (PASOK) announced on Friday that it had taken the step to expel Kaili from the party. "Following the latest developments and the Belgian authorities' investigation into corruption of European officials, MEP Eva Kaili is expelled from PASOK by decision of President Nikos Androulakis," the political party said in a statement. Meanwhile, German Green MEP Daniel Freund tweeted a quote from Kaili from November this year in which she said told European Parliament: "I alone said that Qatar is a frontrunner in labor rights." Freund went on to call the situation "appalling." zc,kb,lo/aw (AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa) Send us your feedback Your feedback Advertisement Skip next section Explore more Explore more Knack report (in Dutch) 16 house searches in European Parliament corruption investigation www.knack.be Le Soir (in French) Qatar suspected of corruption in the heart of Europe www.lesoir.be Skip next section Related topics Related topics European Union (EU)Qatar Skip next section DW's Top Story DW's Top Story A local resident leaves his home after Russian shelling destroyed an apartment house in BakhmutA local resident leaves his home after Russian shelling destroyed an apartment house in Bakhmut Ukraine updates: Zelenskyy says Russians 'destroyed' Bakhmut Conflicts4 hours ago4 hours ago Drones being tested in IranDrones being tested in Iran US alarmed by growing Iran, Russia ties amid Ukraine assault Conflicts20 hours ago20 hours ago From left: Natalia Pinchuk, the wife of Belarusian rights activist Ales Bialiatski, Yan Rachinsky, chair of the International Memorial Board and Oleksandra Matviychuk, head of Ukraine's Center for Civil Liberties pose with awards during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at Oslo City Hall, Norway, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022.From left: Natalia Pinchuk, the wife of Belarusian rights activist Ales Bialiatski, Yan Rachinsky, chair of the International Memorial Board and Oleksandra Matviychuk, head of Ukraine's Center for Civil Liberties pose with awards during the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony at Oslo City Hall, Norway, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022. 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