Qatar Scandal: Greece Freezes All Assets Owned by MEP Eva Kaili

On Monday, authorities in Greece announced the freezing of all assets in Greece owned by European Parliament Vice-President Eva Kaili following the so-called Qatargate corruption scandal.

The head of the Greek authority against money laundering, former Supreme Court deputy prosecutor Haralambos Vourliotis, also ordered that the assets of her partner and her immediate family be frozen.

Vourliotis took immediate action after the MEP was reportedly detained and later arrested in Belgium on charges of corruption and money laundering, in order to protect assets that may derive from illegal activities and are located in Greece, including property, bank accounts, and shares in companies among other things.

He also announced that Greek authorities have traced a real estate firm based in the central Athens district of Kolonaki to the jailed MEP Eva Kaili and her partner.

The company, set up a month ago and involved in the trade and exploitation of property, has been frozen, and its activities are being investigated.

All Greek financial institutions and the relevant state services (such as the land registry) have been informed of the freezing of assets owned by the MEP being held in Belgium as well as the members of her immediate family.

Doha officially denies involvement in Qatar scandal

Kaili was one of four people arrested by Belgian authorities on Sunday and charged with money laundering, corruption, and establishment of a criminal organization.

In an announcement that does not mention specific names, the Brussels federal prosecutor’s office said that four people were placed under arrest for the above charges. Six individuals were detained during raids by the federal police on Friday.

“There are suspicions that individuals in political and/or strategic positions within the European Parliament were paid large sums or offered substantial gifts to influence the decisions of the Parliament,” the announcement said.

On Sunday, Qatar officially denied any involvement in the bribes scandal that has rocked the EU and has led to the arrest of members of the European Parliament.

“The State of Qatar categorically rejects any attempts to associate it with any accusations of misconduct,” a statement by the Qatar Mission to the EU says.

“Any association of the Qatari government with the reported claims is baseless and gravely misinformed,” the statement reads.

According to the statement, “The State of Qatar works through institution-to-institution engagement and operates in full compliance with international laws and regulations.”