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Huawei offices in Belgium searched in EU corruption probe
Efe Udin
March 14, 2025
Source: Euronews
Belgian police have searched the Brussels headquarters of Chinese technology giant Huawei as part of a corruption investigation involving European Parliament officials. According to Euronews, Authorities also conducted raids at 20 additional locations across Belgium’s Flanders and Wallonia regions, as well as in Portugal, leading to several arrests.
Source: Euronews
Investigation into alleged bribery and corruption
The Belgian team on the case has said the probe looks into claims of bribes, fake papers, and cash crimes. They think Huawei lobbyists may have paid EU lawmakers to push choices that help the firm.
As part of the probe, a judge shut down the offices of two aides tied to the case. The news first came out on the site Follow the Money and in Belgian papers Le Soir and Knack. They named one key suspect as Valerio Ottati, 41, who heads EU Public Affairs for Huawei. Ottati once worked for two Italian EU lawmakers in a group that dealt with China rules.
A source told Follow the Money that Ottati had no tech skills and was picked by Huawei mostly for his ties to politics. This adds more doubt about how the firm tries to sway EU groups.
Police raids and investigation details
Authorities searched dozens of homes on Thursday morning across Brussels, Flanders, Wallonia, and Portugal, seeking evidence related to the suspected corruption. Prosecutors believe that up to 15 current and former MEPs might be involved. Police also seized documents and electronic devices as part of the investigation.
“As required by procedure, the president of the European Parliament has been informed of the situation. This procedure is continuing,” the Belgian Prosecutor’s Office said in a statement.
Investigators have contacted the European Parliament, which confirmed it had received a request for cooperation from Belgian authorities. “The parliament will swiftly and fully honour this,” a spokesperson said. However, no searches have been conducted at the European Parliament itself.
Source: Euronews
Potential impact of Huawei corruption investigation on the European Parliament
The new case has raised fears of graft in the EU Parliament, especially after past claims of bribes. Green party lawmaker Daniel Freund, who helped write the EU group’s ethics report, said graft is still a big threat in Brussels.
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“In the wake of recent scandals, important reforms have been overlooked. It must finally be understood that the risk of corruption in Brussels is high because the EU is so influential,” Freund said.
“We need a complete investigation quickly and finally reforms that will make the Parliament more resistant to corruption,” he added.
Similarly, MEP Manon Aubry, co-chair of the Left group in the European Parliament, criticized the EU for failing to address corruption risks.
“Despite repeated warnings from the Left that the EU Parliament is in danger of falling into yet another corruption scandal, almost nothing has been done to prevent it,” Aubry said.
“We urgently need to find out how deep this scandal goes and impose tough ethics and transparency rules, or lobbies will continue to slosh money around in the pockets of an increasingly corrupt institution,” she added.
Transparency International’s Director of Policy and Advocacy, Nicholas Aiossa, also criticized the European Parliament for failing to implement necessary reforms following previous scandals.
“And here we are today,” Aiossa remarked. “Until there are rules in place that prevent gifts being received, travel being paid for, and lucrative side jobs being held by MEPs, there will always be this risk.”
Huawei and EU security concerns
The EU Commission has not spoken on the graft probe. However, it has stressed its fears over Huawei and the risks tied to its role in EU 5G nets.
Thomas Regnier, a spokesperson for the European Commission, said 5G safety is a key issue for the EU.
“Huawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers,” Regnier said. “EU member states should swiftly adopt decisions to restrict or to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks.”
He warned that failing to take action would pose a serious risk to European security. “A lack of swift action would expose the EU as a whole to a clear risk,” Regnier added.
Ongoing probe and potential consequences
As the Huawei corruption investigation goes on, officials are looking into whether Huawei’s claimed bribes swayed EU rules to help the firm. If proof backs these claims, it could hurt both Huawei and any EU lawmakers tied to the case. Huawei has not yet spoken on the claims. But these claims come as the firm’s role in Europe is being watched more closely. With past graft cases still fresh in minds, this new issue could weaken faith in the EU Parliament. It could also raise more doubts about how firms push their aims in EU groups.
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Source/VIA :
Euronews
