Marc Tarabella MEP denies Qatari bribery allegations

MADRID, 12 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Belgian socialist MEP Marc Tarabella has defended himself on Sunday night by denying the accusations of alleged bribery from Qatar to people who could influence the decision-making of the European Parliament.

Tarabella has asserted that she has "never" received a gift from Qatar, a situation in which, she claims, she would have denounced the bribers, reports the newspaper 'Le Soir'.

"I have never received a gift from Qatar, I would have reported them," he explained after learning that on Saturday night the Belgian Police had searched his home as part of the investigation into alleged bribes from Qatar.

After the search, the investigators have seized computer equipment and his mobile phone, while he has not been deprived of his liberty.

In addition, he has assured that he has "nothing to hide" and that he wants to collaborate in the investigation. However, the European Socialist Party has decided to convene a Surveillance Commission to explain the how and why of the search of his address.

The 59-year-old MEP and member of the Socialists and Democrats group (S

The European Parliament had already announced this Saturday the suspension of the Greek socialist Eva Kaili from all her powers and powers as vice president of the European Parliament, although not from the position itself, in relation to this plot. Belgian police searched the home of Kaili on Friday, who was also questioned.

The Federal Prosecutor's Office also reported the arrest of four people and up to 16 searches carried out in various neighborhoods of Brussels in the framework of an investigation into an "alleged criminal organization of corruption and money laundering" that for months had been seeking on behalf of of a Gulf country to influence the "economic and political" decisions of the European Parliament.