Qatar Gate: More raids, Kaili's assets frozen

Kaili

After multiple arrests in the alleged bribery investigation, Belgian investigators searched European Parliament offices. Greece said it was freezing the assets of Eva Kaili, a top MEP implicated in the scandal.

Authorities searched offices of the European Parliament on Monday as part of an investigation into alleged corruption, Belgian prosecutors said. 

The investigation concerns allegations that figures working for World Cup host Qatar had paid hefty bribes to European politicians to influence the policy debate.

A European Parliament vice president, Eva Kaili, and other lawmakers have been implicated in the scandal. 

Kaili was arrested Friday after police allegedly found "bags of cash" in her home.

The purpose of Monday's search "was to seize data," Belgium's public prosecutor's office said in a statement.

Investigators have also scoured private homes and seized several hundred thousand euros. 

So far, four people have been arrested and charged with "participation in a criminal organization, money laundering, and corruption," Belgian authorities said.

Greece freezes Kaili's assets

Officials in Greece on Monday said they had frozen the assets of Kaili after her arrest by Belgian police on corruption charges.

Kaili, a 44-year-old former television presenter, was charged with corruption on Sunday in Brussels.

She has spoken publicly in support of Qatar's recent labour reforms.

The European Parliament said late Saturday that Kaili had been suspended from her duties, most notably representing the parliament's president, Metsola, in the Middle East.

The Greek socialist PASOK party, of which Kaili is a member, said it was expelling her.

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