Belgian Police Raid Multiple Sites in Huawei Lobbying Corruption Investigation

Belgian authorities have launched an investigation into corruption within the European Parliament, resulting in raids targeting Huawei and the detention of several individuals suspected of inappropriate lobbying practices.

Belgian police have initiated a significant operation, executing multiple raids as part of an investigation into suspected corruption within the European Parliament. According to prosecutors, this alleged corruption may have occurred "under the guise of commercial lobbying," leading to the questioning of various individuals.

Authorities revealed that locations across Belgium were targeted, with actions extending even to a property in Portugal. Reports from Belgian newspaper Le Soir suggest that this investigation is tied to Huawei, a major Chinese technology company, and its lobbying efforts in Brussels dating back to 2021.

The prosecutor's office detailed that corruption was reportedly a frequent occurrence, having taken place discreetly between 2021 and the present. It allegedly took multiple forms, including compensatory arrangements for political roles and extravagant gifts such as meals, travel expenses, and invitations to sports events.

Le Soir also reported that certain individuals, believed to be lobbyists for Huawei, were apprehended for allegedly bribing current or former Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to further the company’s business interests. However, a police source clarified that no MEPs were among those detained during the recent raids.

In total, law enforcement executed 21 raids across various regions including Brussels, Flanders, and Wallonia. The investigation is designed to tackle "active corruption within the European Parliament," address issues of "forgery and use of forged documents," and uncover any potential instances of money laundering related to the activities of a "criminal organization," as stated by the prosecutor's office.