---
title: "Belgian prosecutors probe alleged corruption in European Parliament"
description: "BRUSSELS, March 13 (Reuters) - Belgian prosecutors said on Thursday several individuals had been arrested for questioning in connection with their alleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Corruption probe"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-03-13-belgian-prosecutors-probe-alleged-corruption-in-european-parliament/"
published: "2025-03-13T13:24:03"
updated: "2025-03-13T13:24:05"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 141
---

# Belgian prosecutors probe alleged corruption in European Parliament

> BRUSSELS, March 13 (Reuters) - Belgian prosecutors said on Thursday several individuals had been arrested for questioning in connection with their alleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament.

By Reuters · Published 13 March 2025, 15:24 SAST · Updated 13 March 2025, 15:24 SAST

## Key points
- In a sweeping crackdown across Belgium and Portugal, prosecutors have unearthed a clandestine web of corruption and forgery disguised as commercial lobbying, complete with lavish gifts and football match invitations, proving that when it comes to shady dealings, the beautiful game isn't just played on the pitch.
- Federal Police conducted 21 searches across Brussels, Flanders, Wallonia, and Portugal in a corruption investigation.
- Prosecutors remain tight-lipped about the identities of those involved, offering no further comments.
- Allegations include corruption, forgery, and misuse of false documents, occurring discreetly since 2021.
- Investigators aim to uncover evidence of money laundering linked to lavish gifts and political remuneration practices.

## Content

The prosecutors said 21 searches were carried out by the Federal Police in the Brussels region, as well as in Flanders, Wallonia and in Portugal.

Prosecutors did not disclose names and functions of the people involved and were not available for further comment.

Corruption, forgery and use of false documents is believed to have taken place regularly and "very discreetly" from 2021 to the present day, the prosecutors said.

It happened "under the guise of commercial lobbying and taking various forms, such as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches," they added.

The prosecutors said several documents and objects had been seized, with the aim to also detect any evidence of money laundering.

(Reporting by Geert De Clercq and Bart Meijer; Editing by Alex Richardson and Angus MacSwan)