Several European Parliament lawmakers and aides face charges of doing political favors for countries, including Qatar and Morocco, in exchange for cash and gifts. All deny the allegations, although in 2023, Pier Antonio Panzeri, a former Italian EU lawmaker, struck a plea deal with the Belgian prosecutor in exchange for a reduced sentence.
The delays in the case have been criticized by lawmakers and officials, who have slammed Belgian prosecutors for their handling of corruption cases involving EU institutions.
Lawmakers in December voted against lifting the immunity of Italian lawmaker Elisabetta Gualmini, who is accused of involvement in the scandal, on the grounds that Belgian prosecutors did not provide sufficient evidence. The Parliament’s legal affairs committee did vote to lift the immunity of another Italian MEP, Alessandra Moretti.