Brussels (EFE).- The European Parliament has officially barred representatives of the Chinese tech giant Huawei from entering its premises as a precautionary measure, amid an ongoing investigation in Belgium into alleged corruption, forgery, money laundering, and criminal organization involving the company.
“As of Mar. 14, the Parliament has decided, as a precautionary measure, to immediately suspend access to its premises for representatives of Huawei,” a spokesperson for the European Parliament told EFE.
The decision follows the sealing of two parliamentary assistant’s offices for the previous day.
While the measure is labeled as “temporary,” no date has been set for lifting the suspension. Sources within the Parliament indicated that it will remain in place “at least until authorities conclude their investigation.”
Sweeping investigation into Huawei’s lobbying in Europe
Belgium’s Federal Prosecutor’s Office revealed on Thursday that approximately 100 police officers had raided 21 locations tied to Huawei intermediaries in Belgium and Portugal.
They also searched Huawei’s headquarters in Brussels, situated in the district that houses key European Union institutions.
Additionally, authorities confirmed that one person had been arrested in under a European arrest warrant.
Prosecutors suspect that Huawei engaged in illicit activities from 2021 to the present, disguising them as commercial lobbying efforts.
These activities allegedly included financial incentives for political figures, as well as lavish gifts such as expensive meals, travel expenses, and invitations to high-profile soccer matches.
While officials have not disclosed the identities of the two parliamentary assistants involved, investigators believe that around 15 of the European Parliament (MEPs) may be implicated in the scheme.
According to reports citing the investigation, Huawei’s lobbying efforts were aimed at countering US attempts to exclude Chinese telecom firms from critical markets.
The company also allegedly sought to promote greater access for Chinese businesses in the European telecommunications sector.
Potential money laundering and political implications Belgian prosecutors suspect that financial gains linked to the alleged corruption may have been funneled through conference expenses and other intermediaries to obscure their illicit nature.
The investigation is actively assessing whether these actions could constitute money laundering.
If sitting MEPs are found to be involved, the Brussels investigating judge would need to request that the European Parliament emphasize that the institution would “fully and promptly comply” with Belgian authorities’ request for cooperation.
cat/seo/mcd
