‘Belgium is not a safe place for politics’: Qatargate figure Kaili defends Mogherini

Former European Parliament Vice-President Eva Kaili, a central figure in the Qatargate corruption investigation, has come to the defence of ex-EU top diplomat Federica Mogherini after the latter became a suspect in a fraud probe first reported by Euractiv.

“I am shocked,” Kaili told Italian daily La Stampa, commenting on the news of Mogherini’s judicial custody. “It seems to me that the operation is targeted against Italy. It can destroy political careers and create interference before the evidence is presented.”

Mogherini was detained on Tuesday after Belgian police conducted a series of raids on the College of Europe in Bruges, the EU’s diplomatic service in Brussels, and private homes.

Prosecutors suspect Mogherini colluded with senior Commission official Stefano Sannino in 2021 and 2022 to steer a public contract for a new EU diplomatic academy to the College of Europe. They remain presumed innocent while the probe continues.

Mogherini is not only the rector of the College but has also led the academy since its launch in 2022.

“We need to separate politics from abuses of justice,” Kaili added about Belgian investigations, arguing that “Belgium is not a safe place for politics and Italians.”

Kaili, a former Greek MEP, was arrested in Brussels in December 2022 on suspicion of participating in a criminal organisation, corruption and money laundering.

Belgian investigators suspect that Qatar, Morocco and other countries sought to influence European Parliament decisions through cash payments and gifts to lawmakers or their assistants. Kaili has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

“It saddens me that my own case has not taught us enough lessons, and that the same mistakes continue to be made, undeterred,” Kaili added.

She has recently embarked on a book tour in Italy, where she has presented her account of the corruption affair to local media and highlighted what she claims were procedural irregularities in the Belgian investigation.

Angelo di Mambro contributed to this story.

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