The European Parliament has, once again, found itself at the heart of a corruption scandal, this time involving the Chinese tech giant Huawei. Police raids have been carried out across Belgium and Portugal amid suspicions of bribery, forgery, money laundering, and organized criminal activity.
The European Parliament’s latest corruption scandal unfolds even as the previous one—the so-called ‘Qatargate’ affair—remains under investigation and litigation, further deepening preexisting concerns about foreign influence in EU institutions.
The Qatargate scandal, which surfaced more than two years ago, involves allegations that Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), lobbyists, and their families accepted substantial sums of money and lavish gifts from Qatar, Morocco, and Mauritania in exchange for positive publicity and shaping legislation in its favor.
The Qatargate allegations prominently involve socialist lawmakers, with Greek European Parliament Vice President Eva Kaili being the most notable figure implicated.
The first police raids linked to this latest corruption scandal took place two weeks ago at Huawei’s EU offices in Brussels, as well as at the homes of Huawei lobbyists across Belgium and Portugal. These raids followed a two-year investigation initiated by a tip from Belgian intelligence.
Former Dutch MEP Rob Roos responded cynically to the news on X, writing: “Another corruption scandal in the European Parliament—just another day in politics. ill this be another #Qatargate (a socialist job by the Socialists & Democrats Group!!), brushed aside to protect the elites, or will someone finally be held accountable?
Another corruption scandal in the European Parliament—just another day in politics.
Will this be another #Qatargate (a socialist job by the @TheProgressives!!), brushed aside to protect the elites, or will someone finally be held accountable?#Huaweihttps://t.co/n1uAjjows0 pic.twitter.com/XxVSoI5pTS
— Rob Roos (@Rob_Roos) March 13, 2025
Among the key figures implicated is Valerio Otati, a 42-year-old Belgian-Italian lobbyist who joined Huawei in 2019 as its EU Public Affairs Director after serving as an assistant to two Italian Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) focused on China policy.
A second round of sweeps took place last week in Belgium and Portugal. Some targeted offices inside of the European Parliament. Four individuals were charged with corruption and involvement in a criminal organization in connection with an alleged cash-for-influence scheme orchestrated by Chinese tech giant Huawei.
“Another corruption scandal in the European Parliament!15 former and current MPs under investigation. This morning, after searches, the first suspects were arrested!” wrote Polish MEP Dominik Tarczyński.
KOLEJNY skandal korupcyjny w Parlamencie Europejskim!
15 byłych i obecnych posłów objętych śledztwem. Dziś rano po przeszukaniach rano aresztowano pierwszych podejrzanych!https://t.co/r3wULTnJzF
— Dominik Tarczyński MEP (@D_Tarczynski) March 13, 2025
The investigation centers on allegations of bribery, forgery, money laundering, and criminal organization, highlighting the increasing concerns over Beijing’s influence in Europe. Belgium’s Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the corruption took multiple forms, including financial incentives for political support, excessive gifts such as travel perks and football tickets, and concealed lobbying activities benefiting Huawei.
Authorities have questioned multiple individuals, with reports of five arrests in Belgium, at least one in France, and another in Italy.
On Thursday, March 20, Italian police arrested Lucia Simeone, a parliamentary assistant to Fulvio Martusciello, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from the globalist European People’s Party (EPP).
Chinese tech giant Huawei is suspected of bribing at least 15 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to sway key legislative decisions in favor of its commercial interests within the European Union. The MEPs involved are globalists from various political factions—leftists, liberals, and ‘center-right’ lawmakers.
Huawei has been a contentious presence in Europe for years, with its ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and involvement in critical infrastructure projects raising significant concerns. The United States has long warned of security risks associated with Huawei, banning the company from selling certain communications equipment and adding it to a Pentagon list of 20 firms allegedly controlled by the CCP’s military wing.
Despite these concerns, European leaders have taken varying stances. French President Emmanuel Macron previously downplayed fears about Huawei, stating in 2019 that he did not wish to stigmatize any particular company or country. That same year, Huawei began construction of its first European factory in France, near the European Parliament headquarters in Strasbourg.
Similarly, former EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan dismissed US concerns over Huawei’s 5G expansion, further demonstrating the company’s deep political ties in Europe.
The Huawei bribery case starkly highlights the vulnerability of Europe’s corrupt institutions to foreign interference.
Huawei, for its part, has denied any wrongdoing, stating that it has a “zero-tolerance policy toward corruption” and will fully cooperate with authorities. However, given the company’s past controversies, including its involvement in a controversial surveillance project in Malta, skepticism remains high.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola—a well-known globalist—has sought to downplay accusations that the institution is compromised.
“The one thing I will not do is allow the allegations or the alleged work of potentially a few individuals, to tarnish the work of hundreds of others,” she said in an attempt to save face.
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