A massive corruption investigation in March shook the European Parliament, focusing on allegations that Chinese tech giant Huawei was engaging in illegal lobbying and shaking EU policies. The investigation led to several arrests and office raids in Parliament’s Brussels seats, and was provoked as a temporary ban response against Huawei lobbyists.
what happened?
Belgian prosecutors are investigating whether Howay coordinated a secret influence campaign within the European Parliament. Investigators are looking into whether Huawei representatives have provided financial bribes to the MEP and its assistants since 2021.
According to Belgian prosecutors, the corruption was “conducted regularly and very carefully under the guise of commercial lobbying,” including rewards, excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses, or regular invitations to soccer games.
These incentives are said to aim to ensure a favorable political position on topics of interest to Chinese companies.
What have the Belgian prosecutors decided so far?
On March 13, Belgian authorities conducted 21 searches across Belgium and Portugal. This includes raids on Huawei’s Brussels headquarters and the office of Parliament’s assistants. These actions resulted in several arrests and the seizing of documents and electronic devices.
Eight individuals were subsequently charged with crimes such as corruption, money laundering and participation in criminal organizations. According to the latest information provided by Belgian prosecutors, three of these were in custody, three under electronic surveillance and two were released under conditions.
Who is involved?
Prosecutors have not named the suspects, but some media outlets have reported the name of Valerio Ottati, a Belgian Italian lobbyist who was Huawei’s EU spokesperson and worked as an assistant to several MEPs in Parliament. Otati is considered a central figure suspected of bribery. He has not responded to Euronows’ request for comment.
According to media reports, Abraham Liu, the chief representative of Huawei’s EU agency, is also involved in the incident.
Belgian prosecutors also called for the exemption of five members of the European Parliament to be lifted so that their involvement could be investigated.
Three of them belong to the European People’s Party on the center right: Italians Salvatore de Meo, Gius Princi and Fulvio Maltasciero. Others are Maltese socialist MEP Daniel Attado and Bulgaria’s new European MEP Nikola Minchev.
The assistant’s offices of MEPS Marco Falcone (Italy/EPP) and Nikola Minchev (Bulgaria/Updated Europe) were sealed during investigation, but in Italy, assistant Lucia Simeone was arrested and subsequently released.
What was the outcome of the Congress?
Italian newspaper La Republica cited a 2021 letter signed by eight MEPs advocating for the continued development of 5G technology in Europe without geopolitical obstacles closely related to the investigation.
The letter promoted by Martusciello’s office did not expressly mention Huawei, but the prosecutor believes it was made to promote the company’s interests. The report says investigators allege that the payment was made to the author and co-signee of the letter disguised consultant fees and campaign costs. Did the prosecutor not give any information about this?
Five of the eight MEPs who signed the letter and are still members of the Congress told Euronows they had not received payments from Huawei.
How EU institutions responded
As a precaution, the European Parliament immediately halted access to the facility by lobbyists in Huaway. This means that company representatives will not be able to enter parliamentary facilities in Brussels, Strasbourg and Luxembourg.
The European Commission also halted its ties with Huawei. “The committee will not meet with lobby groups and/or industry groups that represent or speak to Huawei’s interests,” the statement said.
Huawei takes the allegations seriously, commits to collaborate with the investigation, stressing that there is a “zero tolerance policy against corruption or other misconduct” and that it “promises to comply with all applicable laws and regulations at all times.”
