Over the recent developments, events, and leaks, it has become evident that there is a pressing need for Belgian authorities to engage in “self-criticism” regarding Qatargate. Specifically, the management of parliamentary immunity has set a very dangerous precedent. This is alarming and shocking. Undoubtedly, the Belgian authorities made errors, and the investigation team also made blunders. Yes, they were biased.
Managing the affair, including the Belgian judiciary and authorities, has created “a very dangerous vulnerability for European democracies,” which requires “in-depth reflection.” Moreover, they violated the guarantee of parliamentary immunity and parliamentary guarantees.
Let’s look closely at Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib, who highlighted the scandal for some. There are connections between Lahbib and key figures in the story, such as Ugo Lemaire, the son of Maria Arena, and Olivier, the current husband of the Belgian minister.
Lemaire Jr.’s apartment underwent scrutiny in recent months, revealing the discovery of both money and drugs. Simultaneously, investigators searched the home of his mother, who was recently interrogated as a suspect. This came after months of complaints from other suspects, who alleged that Arena benefited from special immunity.
These suspicions were further fueled by the relationships between Lemaire Jr. and the son of Michel Claise, the investigating judge who initiated the probe. Claise later resigned following the revelation of the connection between the two young men.
Although Arena’s name frequently surfaced in the investigation, she remained on the story’s periphery. Arena, known to be a close friend of the “repentant” Pier Antonio Panzeri, had her name mentioned multiple times in the file, yet she consistently remained at the edges of the unfolding narrative.
One of the more intriguing aspects of the story involves Lahbib, as reported by the media. On November 14, 2022, just a few days before the arrests, Lahbib met with Qatar’s Labor Minister Ali bin Samikh Al Marri. Investigators considered Al-Marri to be the corruptor in the case. However, Belgium decided to renounce the arrest warrant for him. This meeting raises questions about the dynamics and potential influences surrounding the investigation, adding layers of complexity to an already complex narrative.
The former vice-president of the European Parliament found himself in prison on corruption charges. It added yet another dimension to the unfolding scandal. The issue of immunity primarily revolves around Kaili. She has been awaiting a response from the Legal Commission for seven months regarding a request to investigate a potential violation.
On the other hand, Defenders of Greek politics have forwarded numerous documents to their colleagues, aiming to establish that the MEPs “were under investigation long before MEP Kaili was unlawfully detained by the Belgian police.” These developments underscore the complicated legal and political entanglements that characterize the broader context of the scandal.
Today, new elements and controversies continue to emerge, further complicating an already complicated narrative. One such development is the revelation of audio recordings secretly made by Francesco Giorgi, Kaili’s husband and Panzeri’s former parliamentary assistant. In these recordings, the inspector leading the investigation admitted that the primary “collaborator of justice” in the investigation had been lying.
The entire scandal unfolds as a complex tale, with the actions of Belgian authorities adding layers of confusion. As a result, clarity remains unavailable, and observers are left without a clear understanding of the events unfolding. The scandal’s evolving nature underscores the inherent challenges in separating the truth amidst a tangle of conflicting interests and hidden agendas.
