Eva Kaili: New attempt by her lawyers for parole

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At the same time, an urgent procedure for lifting the immunity of 2 MEPs regarding the Qatarqate case has started.

The first days of the year bring a new wave of developments to the Qatarqate case.

According to information from SKAI, her lawyers, Michalis Dimitrakopoulos and Andreas Rizopoulos, are seeking to replace the temporary imprisonment of former MEP Eva Kailis with a conditional release. The restrictive conditions will include a wristband and mobile phone which will be monitored.

The attempt by her lawyers for parole will be made before January 20, when Ms. Kaili is expected to go back to the courthouse to appear before the Belgian judicial authorities. Her lawyers will rely on the fact that the investigator – according to them – had stated that he had no evidence of bribery against Ms. Kaili.

The former vice-president of the European Parliament welcomed the new year inside the prisons of Haren. She herself has asked many times to see her daughter. But her request has not been granted.

Urgent procedure to lift the immunity of two Members of the European Parliament

Meanwhile, the president of the European Parliament has initiated an urgent procedure to lift the immunity of two more MEPs at the request of the Belgian judicial authorities. According to the Belgian press, they will concern Andrea Cozolino, whose partner was Eva Kaili’s husband and Mark Tarabella.

As reported by the newspaper “Le Soir”, the Belgian judiciary asked the presidency of the European Parliament to lift the immunity of the two MEPs belonging to the group of European Socialists and Democrats, Andrea Coccolino from Italy and Marc Tarabella from Belgium and who are targeted by federal prosecutors in the Qatar and Morocco corruption scandal.

The European Parliament, in turn, confirmed in a press release that President Roberta Metzola “initiated an urgent procedure to lift the immunity of two Members of the European Parliament, at the request of the Belgian judicial authorities”, without, however, mentioning their names . “The first procedural steps have been taken and the President will announce the request to the Plenary as soon as possible on January 16. The request will then be forwarded to the Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) for a proposal for a decision,” the European Parliament clarifies.

As the European Parliament states in its announcement, the first procedural steps have been taken and the President will announce the request to the Plenary at the earliest possible opportunity on January 16. The request will then be referred to the Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) for a proposed decision.

“From the outset the European Parliament has done everything in its power to assist in the investigations and we will continue to ensure that there is no impunity. Those responsible will find this House on the side of the law. Corruption cannot pay and we will do everything to fight it,” the president said.

At the same time, the president is also expected to outline her intentions for reforms in the coming weeks, including revising existing rules and improving internal systems.

Waiver of Immunity Procedure

As stated in the Rules of Procedure of the European Parliament (Article 6 and Article 9), requests to waive immunity are announced by the President to the Plenary and then referred to the competent Committee (Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI).

The Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) appoints a rapporteur, cases are presented at a committee meeting and a hearing may be held.

The draft report will be discussed and voted on in JURI. The committee adopts a recommendation to the full Parliament to approve or reject the request. All immunity cases are considered in camera.

The proposal is then submitted to the Plenary. If approved by the Plenary (simple majority), the Speaker will immediately notify the Parliament’s decision to the member(s) concerned and the relevant national authority.

The President asked all agencies and committees to prioritize this process with the aim of completing it by February 13, 2023.

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