Quizzes & Puzzles10 mins ago
'Qatargate'
A little treat for AB remainers;
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'The country’s [Belgium] secret service broke into the house of one of the key suspects, a former Italian MEP, where they discovered €700,000 in cash, revealing an alleged plot linked to world cup host Qatar that has tarnished EU institutions.
Belgium’s State Security Service is believed to have launched a far-reaching investigation into foreign meddling in the EU in 2021.
“It was a game-changer that state security has been working on for more than a year, together with foreign intelligence services, to map suspected bribery of MEPs by various countries,” Vincent Van Quickenborne, the Belgian justice minister, told Belgian daily Le Soir.
Police have now conducted more than 20 raids, mostly in Belgium but also in Italy, with MEPs being warned immunity rules could be revisited to stop future scandals emerging in the future.
So-called friendship groups, formed by MEPs as forums to discuss ties with non-EU countries and seen as vulnerable to external influence, are also likely to be banned
Details of the covert operation emerged as Francesco Giorgi, the partner of Eva Kaili, the former European Parliament vice-president, was said to have confessed to his role in a bribery network.'
Telegraph today
Belgium’s State Security Service is believed to have launched a far-reaching investigation into foreign meddling in the EU in 2021.
“It was a game-changer that state security has been working on for more than a year, together with foreign intelligence services, to map suspected bribery of MEPs by various countries,” Vincent Van Quickenborne, the Belgian justice minister, told Belgian daily Le Soir.
Police have now conducted more than 20 raids, mostly in Belgium but also in Italy, with MEPs being warned immunity rules could be revisited to stop future scandals emerging in the future.
So-called friendship groups, formed by MEPs as forums to discuss ties with non-EU countries and seen as vulnerable to external influence, are also likely to be banned
Details of the covert operation emerged as Francesco Giorgi, the partner of Eva Kaili, the former European Parliament vice-president, was said to have confessed to his role in a bribery network.'
Telegraph today
Khandro, it appears that, in spite of your fervent interest in this situation, and that of the second-hand fourth class news twonk you linked to, the reaction of the 'tin-eared' AB community has been a soaring wave of indifference.
Maybe they are fully occupied with the vital news of the moment - Harry and Meaghan's latest outpourings of poisonous self-pity.
I know I am!
Maybe they are fully occupied with the vital news of the moment - Harry and Meaghan's latest outpourings of poisonous self-pity.
I know I am!
In all, more than €1.5 million (£1.3m) has been seized in raids on 19 locations in the Belgian capital and in Italy, some of which were in the Parliament itself.
The investigation centres on claims that Qatar tried to buy influence in order to help secure an “open skies” deal that would give its airlines unfettered access to EU markets and airspace. It is, without question, the biggest bribery scandal in the history of the European Union’s institutions, and it could well get much worse, with reports that up to 60 MEPs could be dragged into it.
Four people, including Eva Kaili, a Greek MEP who was until this week a vice-president of the Parliament, have so far been charged with corruption, with the prospect of high-profile court cases to come. They have denied wrongdoing.
Telegraph
The investigation centres on claims that Qatar tried to buy influence in order to help secure an “open skies” deal that would give its airlines unfettered access to EU markets and airspace. It is, without question, the biggest bribery scandal in the history of the European Union’s institutions, and it could well get much worse, with reports that up to 60 MEPs could be dragged into it.
Four people, including Eva Kaili, a Greek MEP who was until this week a vice-president of the Parliament, have so far been charged with corruption, with the prospect of high-profile court cases to come. They have denied wrongdoing.
Telegraph
Khandro - // In all, more than €1.5 million (£1.3m) has been seized in raids on 19 locations in the Belgian capital and in Italy, some of which were in the Parliament itself.
The investigation centres on claims that Qatar tried to buy influence in order to help secure an “open skies” deal that would give its airlines unfettered access to EU markets and airspace. It is, without question, the biggest bribery scandal in the history of the European Union’s institutions, and it could well get much worse, with reports that up to 60 MEPs could be dragged into it.
Four people, including Eva Kaili, a Greek MEP who was until this week a vice-president of the Parliament, have so far been charged with corruption, with the prospect of high-profile court cases to come. They have denied wrongdoing.
Telegraph //
Nice to see that you are actually quoting acceptable and respectable sources for your information, pity you didn't start there, but never mind.
I just wonder why you are still quoting?
This is pretty much old news now, those who care can read for themselves, and those who don't will not be reading or responding to your latest post.
The investigation centres on claims that Qatar tried to buy influence in order to help secure an “open skies” deal that would give its airlines unfettered access to EU markets and airspace. It is, without question, the biggest bribery scandal in the history of the European Union’s institutions, and it could well get much worse, with reports that up to 60 MEPs could be dragged into it.
Four people, including Eva Kaili, a Greek MEP who was until this week a vice-president of the Parliament, have so far been charged with corruption, with the prospect of high-profile court cases to come. They have denied wrongdoing.
Telegraph //
Nice to see that you are actually quoting acceptable and respectable sources for your information, pity you didn't start there, but never mind.
I just wonder why you are still quoting?
This is pretty much old news now, those who care can read for themselves, and those who don't will not be reading or responding to your latest post.
Naomi - // AH, it’s not old news and Khandro’s original video told me things I was unaware of. //
In relative terms, I suggest that it is, and will remain off the front pages until more evidence is revealed, when ever that is.
// If you’re not interested, fine. Others may be. //
I did not say that I was not interested, you are assuming again, and as we know from recent experience, that is not a habit whose indulgence ends well.
// I’m still hoping to hear from the remainders who think the EU is squeaky clean //
You must have a sense of hope that is considerably in excess of your experience of reality on here then.
In relative terms, I suggest that it is, and will remain off the front pages until more evidence is revealed, when ever that is.
// If you’re not interested, fine. Others may be. //
I did not say that I was not interested, you are assuming again, and as we know from recent experience, that is not a habit whose indulgence ends well.
// I’m still hoping to hear from the remainders who think the EU is squeaky clean //
You must have a sense of hope that is considerably in excess of your experience of reality on here then.
naomi - // Oops! Your communication skills are failing again. I could have sworn you just told Khandro this is old news and those who care can read it for themselves. Guess I was mistaken. //
I have no idea what you are talking about, nor am I remotely interested in following your intention to derail the thread by starting yet another of your tedious off-thread spats.
Good afternoon.
I have no idea what you are talking about, nor am I remotely interested in following your intention to derail the thread by starting yet another of your tedious off-thread spats.
Good afternoon.
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