Josep Borrell calls bribery charges against European Parliament 'very very worrisome'

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, on Monday, expressed serious concern over arrests that took place due to alleged corruption at European Parliament, BBC reported. Speaking to reporters, Borell said that news is "certainly very, very worrisome.” "We are facing some events, some facts, that certainly worries me as a former president of European Parliament,” he said, clarifying that ongoing probe does t involve anyone from diplomatic service of European Union. 

Meanwhile, Irish Foreign Affairs minister Simon Coveney stated that charges against four individuals were "very damaging,” ding that "we need to get to bottom of it". Among those apprehended is European Parliament Vice President Eva Kaili. Prosecutors believe that parliament was bribed through presents or money by a Gulf state, possibly Qatar, which has denied allegation.

On Friday, Belgian police seized about €600,000 in cash and took electronics while conducting 16 searches in Belgium’s capital of Brussels. Two days later, prosecutors stated that four people have been charged and two have been released from arrest. "y are charged with participation in a criminal organisation, money laundering and corruption," Belgian federal prosecutor's office said in a statement.

Is Eva Kaili involved?

While those who are involved in investigation haven’t been named to public, it has been reported that Kaili is among those indicted for crime. Eva Kaili, a member of European Parliament for eight years, was suspended from post of vice-president by European Parliament president Roberta Metsola, whose spokesperson said that she "stands firmly against corruption" and is "fully cooperating" with authorities.

Following allegations, Kaili was also suspended from Socialists and Democrats Group of parliament, as well as ousted from Greece’s Pasok party. Prosecutors are said to have frozen all assets owned by Kaili. Furrmore, she has been asked to immediately resign by parliament’s Green bloc’s co-president Terry Reintke, who said, "We shouldn't even have to remove her from her vice president position. This should be done by her proactively." With investigation underway, opposition MEPs and watchdogs have said that corruption charges could potentially become most explosive bribery scandal in history of European Parliament.