Greek MEP and expelled Vice-President of the European Parliament Eva Kaili denounced the conditions in which she is being detained in Belgium on charges of corruption in the so-called Qatargate scandal in the European Parliament.
Kaili was arrested on 9 December and is under investigation for taking bribes from Qatar and Morocco after investigators found a large amount of cash at her home, among other things. However, she maintains her innocence – something that her lawyer, Michalis Dimitrakopouls, confirmed during Thursday's hearing, VRT reports.
Dimitrakopoulos argued that she could be released with an electronic ankle bracelet and denounced the conditions in which she is being held. Dimitrakopoulos stated that Kaili has only been allowed to see her 23-month-old child twice since she was detained, and was allegedly placed in isolation for some time last week, which meant she could not have any contact with anyone.
"During that period, she also spent 16 hours in a judicial police cell. Although it was cold there and she had to give up her coat, she was not given a second blanket," Dimitrakopoulos said.
"She also had her period and lost a lot of blood but was not allowed to wash. Additionally, the light was kept on continuously which prevented her from sleeping," he continued.
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He called it "torture," saying that while Kaili is under suspicion, there is still the presumption of innocence. "We are in Europe, but these acts go against the European Convention on Human Rights. This is medieval."
The request by Kaili's lawyers was not granted, meaning she will have to remain in detention for at least another month and will not be able to be released on conditions or under electronic surveillance.
