BRUSSELS (Reuters) – A spokesman for Belgium’s justice ministry said on Thursday that the EU ministry was investigating a corruption scandal linked to Qatar during the World Cup The National Security Agency worked closely with intelligence agencies in other European countries for more than a year, and was able to uncover the truth by narrowing down the suspects.
Belgian investigative authorities arrested four people, including former European Parliament deputy president Eva Kairi, on the 9th. Prosecutors believe Qatar paid money and other items to the four men to covertly influence EU policy decisions.
Belgian police said they found a total of 1.5 million euros in cash during a house search from 9th to 12th, and posted a photo of a suitcase and two briefcases full of large amounts of large euro banknotes on SNS. In addition, Italian investigators searched seven bank accounts linked to the suspects and found 20,000 euros in the house where one suspect lived, sources said.
A person familiar with the matter said an announcement was expected on Tuesday whether Kairi would remain in custody while an investigation is carried out. He and Qatar have denied any wrongdoing.
