The lifting of immunity for two Greek Members of European Parliament (MEP), Eva Kaili and Maria Spyraki, has been requested by a European Union body.
Ms Kaili was placed under arrest last weekend for the suspicion of corruption and money laundering following a police investigation into Qatari bribery.
A statement was posted on the European Public prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) website. The EPPO is an independent public prosecution office of the EU, responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.
“Based on an investigative report received from the European Anti-Fraud Office, there is a suspicion of fraud detrimental to the EU budget, in relation to the management of the parliamentary allowance, and in particular concerning the remuneration of accredited parliamentary assistants,” the statement reads.
“In accordance with the national applicable law, Ms Kaili and Ms Spyraki are entitled to the presumption of innocence.”
Ms Spyraki responded to the news, saying: “I welcome the lifting of immunity in order for it to become clear that I do not have any economic differences with the European parliament, not even by a single euro.”
“I bear no connection to Qatargate and I do not have any connection to any other case,” she said.
Source: ekathimerini
