EU Parliament vice-president stripped of powers amid corruption probe implicating World Cup hosts Qatar

Eva Kaili was suspended from her duties after being caught in a probe into influence peddling at the EU assembly allegedly involving officials from Qatar

Four people were detained for questioning, and investigators recovered around US$633,500 in cash and seized computer equipment and mobile telephones

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Belgian police arrested Greek socialist MEP Eva Kaili and four other suspects in connection with an investigation into corruption implicating World Cup hosts Qatar, the prosecutors office said on December 9, 2022. Photo: European Parliament/AFP/File

Published: 3:26pm, 11 Dec 2022Updated: 5:05pm, 11 Dec 2022

A Greek MEP had her powers as a vice-president of the European Parliament suspended on Saturday over a corruption probe implicating World Cup hosts Qatar that has ensnared four others and sparked calls for “root and branch reform” in the EU institution.

European Parliament president Roberta Metsola “has decided to suspend with immediate effect all powers, duties and tasks that were delegated to Eva Kaili in her capacity as Vice-President of the European Parliament,” a spokesperson said.

Earlier on Saturday, Metsola said on Twitter that the parliament “stands firmly against corruption”, adding they would do everything they could to “assist the course of justice”.

Socialist MEP Kaili was arrested on Friday hours after four others were detained for questioning.

The arrests followed raids in Brussels which prosecutors said turned up 600,000 euros (US$630,000) in cash. Police also seized computers and mobile phones.