The Qatargate corruption scandal continues to dominate European headlines in December 2025, with new court hearings set for December 12 and fresh allegations against high-ranking EU officials. The scandal, which began with raids in 2022, involves accusations that European Parliament officials accepted bribes from Qatar, Morocco, and Mauritania to influence EU policy, leading to the arrests of several MEPs and ongoing legal proceedings.
Qatargate: Renewed Legal Proceedings
Court hearings for the Qatargate scandal are scheduled for December 12, 2025, in Brussels, as reported by European Conservative’s news team. The hearings follow three years of investigation and legal wrangling since Belgian authorities first conducted raids in late 2022. The Brussels Court of Indictment will assess the conduct of the investigation and hear arguments from over 20 parties involved in the case.
Allegations and Key Figures
The scandal centers on allegations that Qatari, Moroccan, and Mauritanian governments funneled cash to European Parliament officials, including former MEPs Eva Kaili and Antonio Panzeri, to influence EU policy and kill off critical resolutions. According to testimony from Francesco Giorgi, Kaili’s former partner and Panzeri’s adviser, Qatar has been sending bribes since 2019, with payments also coming from Morocco and Mauritania.
Arrests and Legal Actions
In December 2022, Belgian police conducted 20 raids across Brussels, resulting in the arrests of eight individuals, including Kaili, Panzeri, Giorgi, and Luca Visentini. The raids uncovered €1.5 million in cash, with significant sums found at the homes of Kaili and Panzeri. Kaili’s father, Alexandros, was also arrested with a suitcase containing hundreds of thousands of euros as he attempted to flee.
Immunity and Parliamentary Fallout
The European Parliament’s legal affairs committee has recently voted against lifting the immunity of an Italian Socialist lawmaker accused of involvement, citing insufficient evidence from Belgian prosecutors. However, immunity has been lifted for several other MEPs, including Alessandra Moretti and Elisabetta Gualmini, allowing their cases to proceed.
Political and Civil Reactions
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described the scandal as “of the utmost concern,” calling for stronger integrity and ethics rules across EU institutions. Transparency International has labeled Qatargate “the most egregious case” of corruption the European Parliament has ever seen. Civil society groups have called for a body with real investigatory and sanctions powers to prevent future incidents.
Defendants’ Statements
Eva Kaili and her lawyers continue to deny all wrongdoing, claiming her arrest was a “gross overreach of judicial power” and that she was denied an interpreter during her initial interrogation. Kaili has also accused Belgian authorities of inhumane treatment, particularly regarding her separation from her daughter. Francesco Giorgi admitted to accepting bribes but claimed Kaili was not directly involved in the corruption scheme.
Qatari Government Response
The Qatari government has categorically denied any involvement in the scandal, stating that all accusations are
“baseless and gravely misinformed”.
The Qatari Mission to the European Union accused the United Arab Emirates of orchestrating the scandal to damage Qatar’s reputation, especially following the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Ongoing Investigations and Reforms
The investigation continues to uncover new connections, with Belgian authorities examining broader schemes to influence EU decisions in favor of Qatar and other countries. The European Parliament has suspended all work on files involving Qatar and created a Committee of Inquiry to investigate the affair. Calls for reform and stronger anti-corruption measures have grown louder among EU officials and civil society.
