Qatargate: Hololei under investigation for luxury gifts from Qatar
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The European Public Prosecutor's Office launches an investigation into Henrik Hololei for allegedly accepting luxury gifts from Qatar while negotiating a major air transport deal.
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The former head of the EU's transport department, Henrik Hololei, speaking at the ECAC-CEAC 36th plenary session of the European Civil Conférence, Strasbourg on July 10, 2018. (Wikimedia)
European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has opened an investigation into accusations that Henrik Hololei, a senior EU official and former head of the EU's transport department, improperly accepted luxury gifts from Qatar while his department was negotiating a major air transport deal with the Gulf state.
Politico reported, last year, that Hololei traveled multiple times to Qatar from 2015 to 2021, funded by the Qatari government or associated organizations. The EPPO initiated the probe after a report in the French newspaper, Liberation, claimed the European Commission was not adequately pursuing the case.
Hololei's business class trips were revealed as the EU dealt with another Qatar-related graft scandal in parliament. Afterward, he was moved to an advisory role in the EU's international partnerships department, where he currently remains. The EPPO noted that EU institutions are obligated to report any criminal conduct relevant to its jurisdiction.
According to Liberation, European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) investigators found Hololei and his family received at least 25 undisclosed gifts from Qatar, including five-star hotel stays and luxury shopping sprees.
The European Commission stated it had "acted quickly," mentioning that OLAF's investigation concluded in July, and a mandate was given to its disciplinary office for further action.
A commission spokesperson indicated that the case is still at a pre-disciplinary stage, with Hololei expected to be heard as part of the internal process.
Hololei did not respond to requests for comment. This investigation follows the "Qatargate" bribery scandal from two years ago, where several EU lawmakers were accused of accepting payments to advance the interests of Qatar and Morocco, both of which deny the allegations.
Back in 2022, regarding the Qatar-linked bribery scandal, the European Parliament voted in favor of terminating Eva Kaili - the EU body's vice president - but allowed her to continue to be a parliament member.
Kaili denies taking a bribe from Qatar, in addition to denying guilt of corruption. She dealt with charges brought by Belgian authorities, turning an accusation into a scandal. She also denied hoarding $158,000 in cash in a child's bed found in a search at her residence.
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