Home Brussels Qatargate suspect Eva Kaili freed from house arrest

Qatargate suspect Eva Kaili freed from house arrest

by editor

BRUSSELS — Eva Kaili, one of the main suspects in a cash-for-influence corruption probe at the European Parliament, is no longer under house arrest.

A spokesperson for the Belgian prosecutor’s office confirmed an earlier AFP report on this to POLITICO.

“The investigation no longer requires her detention,” the prosecutor’s office said in a brief press release.

Kaili’s Belgian lawyer Sven Mary told POLITICO he’s not aware whether there are or what any remaining conditions are for Kaili. “If there are conditions tied to [her release], I will put down a request to lift every condition.”

Kaili’s Greek lawyer did not immediately reply to POLITICO’s request for comment.

Kaili was one of the first to be detained last December, when the Belgian police launched raids in a sprawling investigation into whether foreign countries, including Qatar and Morocco, were bribing EU lawmakers. After her detention was prolonged several times, she was moved from jail to house arrest with an electronic monitor in mid-April, pending trial.

By removing her electronic tag, Kaili will be able to move freely and join other former Qatargate detainees — like Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella. He also recently had court-ordered monitoring removed and was seen back at the European Parliament this week, where he attended a committee and grabbed a drink in the café.

Kaili’s lawyers have previously declared that she would seek to have her bracelet removed, in order to resume her duties as a lawmaker — albeit not affiliated with any political group.

This story has been updated with comment from Kaili’s Belgian lawyer.

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