Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Ambrey: Cameroon-flagged tanker issues distress call following explosion abroad, approximately 60NM south of Yemen's Ahwar.
Araghchi: Iran adopted a constructive approach in its engagement to ensure the European Union and the E3 fully honored their commitments and lifted all sanctions.
Araghchi: After a year of Iran’s full compliance with the agreement, it began implementing gradual, proportionate, and reversible compensatory steps in accordance with its recognized rights under the deal.
Araghchi: Iran demonstrated the utmost restraint in the face of repeated and fundamental violations and made extensive efforts to restore balance and preserve the agreement.
In his letter, Araghchi stated: The E3 failed to fulfill their obligations and instead imposed additional illegal sanctions on Iranian individuals and institutions.
Araghchi: These coercive measures constituted a grave violation of international law and the UN Charter, causing severe disruption in the implementation of the agreement.
Araghchi: Washington initially refrained from fulfilling its commitments, then withdrew from the agreement, reimposed its illegal and unilateral sanctions, and even expanded them.
Araghchi: UN Security Council Resolution 2231 has expired and fully ceased to be in effect as of today, in accordance with its explicit provisions.
Iranian Foreign Ministry: Reimposing sanctions on Iran is illegal
Occupied Palestine: Israeli occupation forces raid homes during a raid on the village of Al-Burj, south of al-Khalil

Vice president of EU parliament terminated over bribery scandal

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 13 Dec 2022 17:45
4 Min Read

Eva Kaili has been terminated as the vice president, but remains a member of the EU parliament.

  • x
  • EU Parliament now ex-Vice President, Eva Kaili. (Reuters)
    EU Parliament now ex-Vice President, Eva Kaili. (Getty Images)

Over a recent bribery scandal, the European Parliament has voted in favor of terminating Eva Kaili - the EU body's vice president - but she will continue to be a parliament member, according to Tuesday's vote results. The decision was made in a 625-1 vote, with 2 abstentions.

"In view of the ongoing investigations, @Europarl_EN has decided that Eva Kaili is no longer one of its Vice-Presidents. This decision is effective immediately. We will continue to fully cooperate with relevant national law enforcement and judicial authorities," said Roberta Metsola, the head of the parliament. 

In view of the ongoing investigations,@Europarl_EN has decided that Eva Kaili is no longer one of its Vice-Presidents.

This decision is effective immediately.

We will continue to fully cooperate with relevant national law enforcement and judicial authorities.

— Roberta Metsola (@EP_President) December 13, 2022

According to a German news agency, the agreement to dismiss Kaili is pending a vote at a plenary session, with Metsola noting that the EU Parliament will hold a vote on the termination of Kaili's office over the recent bribery scandal. 

"Today I have convened an extraordinary meeting of the conference of presidents on the application of rule 21 on the early termination of office of Vice President Eva Kaili, the conference unanimously decided to propose to parliament that it bring to an end the term of office of vice president Eva Kaili," Metsola told the parliament.

On her part, 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, according to Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, a lawyer speaking to Greece TV.

Related News

Von der Leyen faces no-confidence motion amid Pfizergate fallout: FT

EU voters cast ballots on final day of marathon elections

"Her position is that she is not guilty. She has nothing to do with financing from Qatar," Dimitrakopoulos said. 

"I have no idea whether any money was found and how much was found. The only thing that I can tell you... is that there is no baby's bed where the hidden money was found. I deny it, saying this directly to you since her sister... told me that," the lawyer added.

Investigators had suspected a Gulf country of influencing the EU parliament

Belgian authorities last week conducted arrests and searches in Brussels as part of an investigation into corruption allegations in the EU parliament, particularly in relation to holding the World Cup in Qatar and illicit lobbying in favor of Doha. 

On Friday, Kaili and her partner were detained and their residency was searched, with the police reportedly finding "bags of cash" on the premises. Shortly after, Kaili was expelled from the party, the Panhellenic Socialist Movement. Then, Metsola "decided to suspend with immediate effect all powers, duties, and tasks that were delegated to Eva Kaili in her capacity as Vice-President of the European Parliament," according to a spokesperson.

On Twitter, Metsola said that the parliament "stands firmly against corruption," adding they would do everything they could to "assist the course of justice."

Four other people, including a former MEP, were detained on December 9 in Belgium. 

Investigators have for several months "suspected a Gulf country of influencing the economic and political decisions of the European Parliament, and this by transferring consequential sums of money or giving sizeable gifts to third parties with a significant and/or strategic position within the European Parliament," the prosecutor's office said.    

The police said this was allegedly done “by paying large sums of money or offering large gifts to third parties with a significant political and/or strategic position within the European Parliament.”

  • EU Parliament
  • Eva Kaili
  • European Union
  • European Parliament

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Residents remove debris from a house damaged by Wednesday's two drone strikes, in Kabul, Afghanistan, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Afghanistan-Pakistan negotiations to begin in Doha: Exclusive

Palestine Action wins court fight to challenge UK terror ban
Politics

Palestine Action wins court fight to challenge UK 'terror' ban

John Bolton surrenders after classified documents indictment
Politics

John Bolton turns himself in after classified documents indictment

GSF, GMTG slams EU over complicity in Gaza genocide
Politics

GSF, GMTG slam EU over complicity in crimes against Palestinians

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS