Belgian police have carried out raids on 21 addresses across Belgium belonging to lobbyists from Chinese multinational Huawei early on Thursday, Dutch investigative media Follow the Money revealed. One suspect has been arrested in France.
According to an investigation published by the Dutch outlet, alongside Le Soir, Knack and Reporters United, the Chinese technology company is now at the heart of the European Parliament’s latest corruption scandal, alleging bribes paid to both former and current MEPs to advance the company’s interests on the continent. Around 15 MEPs are believed to be involved in the scheme, the investigative media allege.
Belgian Federal Police raided locations in Brussels, Flanders, Wallonia and elsewhere in Portugal, seizing documents and devices belonging to the Chinese lobbyists. The police investigation into Huawei allegedly started two years ago following a tip-off from Belgian intelligence agencies.
Investigators believe that the lobbyists may have used undeclared payments and gifts to sway politicians, including giving away football tickets, lavish gifts, large cash payments and even all-expenses trips to China in exchange for support for the Chinese company. Payments to at least one of the politicians involved in the scandal passed through a Portuguese company.
According to the Belgian Federal Prosecutor’s Office, “several people were questioned” in relation to “bribery in the European Parliament and in forgery and use of forged documents.” The police referred to the operation within the context of a “criminal organisation.”
Later in the day, the Federal Public Prosecutor Office announced that two offices belonging to parliamentary assistants had been sealed off as part of the investigation. One suspect was arrested in France after a European arrest warrant was issued. It confirmed that Huawei was the beneficiary of the alleged bribery scheme.
Follow the Money alleges that Huawei EU Public Affairs Director Valerio Ottati is one of the main suspects of the corruption probe. The lobbyist did not comment on the allegations.
Huawei has positioned itself as a key partner in Europe’s 5G networks, but those using its infrastructure have faced pressure from the US and the European Commission to ditch the technology due to Huawei’s close ties to the Chinese government and fears over its use in espionage.
This corruption case is the latest in a string of high-profile corruption scandals targeting the European Parliament. In December 2022, police discovered money in the homes of MEPs suspected to have taken cash bribes from Qatari and Moroccan officials.
