Huawei Under Suspicion in Alleged Corruption Scandal in the European Parliament

Two years after the 'Qatargate', a new scandal once again taints the European Parliament. Belgian federal police conducted 21 searches on Thursday in different regions of Belgium and Portugal, related to a possible corruption case involving the European Parliament. According to the Prosecutor's Office, several individuals have been arrested for their connection to this case, as well as for the use of false documentation. A joint investigation by Belgian media 'Follow The Money', 'Le Soir', and 'Knack' has revealed that the arrested individuals are lobbyists for the Chinese brand Huawei.

The Belgian police suspect that the detainees are part of a criminal organization and have been operating "discreetly" since 2021, disguising their activities as representatives of a commercial pressure group. These individuals allegedly bribed MEPs to support their cause within the European Parliament, in exchange for payments to uphold certain political positions and gifts such as food, paid trips, or invitations to football matches. Currently, around fifteen MEPs and former MEPs are under police scrutiny, according to 'Follow The Money'.

In this context, officers conducted early morning searches at the residences of Huawei lobbyists, as well as the Chinese tech company's office in Brussels, seeking evidence linking the detainees to illicit activities carried out in the European Parliament. The case has been in the hands of the Belgian secret police for two years, and in addition to corruption, there is suspicion of money laundering.

In June 2023, the European Commission endorsed the ban on Huawei from 5G networks for security reasons, arguing that the tech company could use these networks as a means of espionage and gather information to pass on to Chinese authorities. Despite Huawei denying interference from the Chinese government, the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Japan have banned this tech company.