While the authorities are continuing their investigations into Qatargate, a DW report citing Panzeri’s transcribed statements, brings to light new information about the ring’s modus operandi, as well as Eva Kaili’s involvement.
Panzeri alleges that Qatar began expanding its network of influence in EU institutions in late 2017. After meetings in early 2018 with the Gulf country’s labor minister, Ali Bin Samih Al Marri, Qatar agreed to gives him and his partner Kaili one million euros per year, for the two years 2018-2019.
Qatar funded Kaili’s re-election campaign
Continuing his testimony, the former MEP states that because he failed to be re-elected, he founded the NGO “Fight Impunity” in order to continue his action in favor of Qatar. Furthermore, he maintains that Kaili received the sum of 250,000 euros from Qatar to finance her re-election campaign in the European Parliament.
Although not all the details regarding the transfer of the money have been released, as noted by DW, Panzeri claimed that a large part of the amount from Qatar reached their hands through a “Turkish businessman and his lawyer in London”. Panzeri also claimed that another compatriot of the MEP received cash and that he met with interlocutors involved in the corruption ring.
Where did the corruption scandal begin?
According to the leaked statements, it appears that the scandal started with Morocco, not Qatar. The relationship of the former MEP, Antonio Panzeri, with the Moroccan ambassador to Poland, Abderrahim Atmoun, begins in 2012 and that the Moroccan diplomat gave him 50,000 euros in 2014 for a pre-election rally in Milan.
According to the documents, Atmun paid for luxury trips to Morocco for Kaili, her partner Francesco Giorgi and two other MEPs, Italian Andrea Coccolino and Belgian Maria Arena.
From 2019 onwards, Morocco started sending bags of money, when Panzeri and Giorgi agreed to receive 50,000 euros a year in order to create a good image of the North African country in EU policy-making circles in Brussels.
He made the same agreement with Mauritania. Panzeri said that all this lasted only in 2019 and that he and Giorgi received two payments of 50,000 euros each. Morocco’s government, DW says, has denied any involvement in the corruption scandal, while Mauritania did not respond to a request for comment.
Panzeri disclaims his responsibilities
During the depositions, Panzeri wanted to renounce the leading role claiming that he was not the “big boss”. In fact, in order to achieve this he “ratted on” the partner of Eva Kaili and his former parliamentary assistant, Francesco Giorgi, as the one who had the main order.
In particular, he mentioned that Giorgi was handing out envelopes and bags of cash to those involved in the scandal, including himself. Afterwards, the former MEP stated that he had approached the arrested Mark Tarabella with an initial sum of 20,000 euros.
Panzeri also said that the total amount that Tarabela received was 140,000 euros. The Italian former MEP also said that in 2021 he wanted to change the system as “he had already accumulated so much cash, that he didn’t know what to do with it”. Also, people close to Panzeri told DW that Panzeri’s physical and mental condition “is deteriorating significantly” while he remains in prison.
Latest News
Deadline for Postal Vote Registration Expires on Mon.
More than 157,000 Greek citizens had registered on the relevant online platform so far
Orthodox Palm Sunday Today; Shops Open in Greater Athens-Piraeus Area
Orthodox Holy Week begins on Monday, April 29, and ends on Sunday, Easter Sunday or Great and Holy Pascha (May 5)
Greek Retailers Remain Optimistic About Easter Shoppers’ Turnout
While stores are expected to be open on Sunday, April 28, the majority of Easter shoppers will likely do their shopping during the Holy Week, following the deposit of Easter bonuses
Europeche: Greek Apricot Production Recovers
Europeche forecasts the production will bounce back despite a slight decrease in varieties attributed to high winter temperatures
Bank of Greece (BoG): Business-Household Deposits Up 1,675bln in March 2024
In March 2024, the monthly net flow of credit to the general government was negative by 469 million euros
FT: Greece’s Economic Rebound a Balance of Growth and Poverty
Eurostat data revealed a significant 10.8% drop in Greek public debt relative to GDP in 2023, alongside a 2% economic expansion, outpacing Germany's performance.
Lavrio Port Authority Next Up for Privatization
A deadline for the submission of expressions of interest is May 14, 2024
Eurostat: Greece Records Largest Drop in Natural Gas Prices in 2nd Half of 2023
The price of electricity and natural gas in Europe was down following a substantial surge that began before the Russian invasion of Ukraine and peaked in 2022
GEK TERNA Still Considers Leveraging Concessions Portfolio as Financial Tool
President and CEO of Gek Terna George Peristeris explained the company's plans on Tuesday on the sidelines of the inauguration of sections of Greece's E65 highway
NielsenIQ: 3% Supermarket Revenue Increase in Q1
Private label products are gaining traction, comprising 25.4% of shopping basket shares, up from 24.7%