Overview

• Belgian authorities executed 20 raids across Brussels, Flanders, and Wallonia, along with one in Portugal, as part of a corruption investigation involving the European Parliament.
• The investigation focuses on lobbying activities by individuals linked to the Chinese telecom giant Huawei, with allegations of bribery and undue influence since 2021.
• Suspicions include the use of financial incentives, lavish gifts, and paid trips to sway political decisions for private commercial interests.
• Several individuals, including lobbyists, were detained for questioning, though no current eurodeputies were among those arrested.
• The probe includes charges of corruption, forgery, money laundering, and links to organized crime, echoing the earlier 'Qatargate' scandal.