**From The Telegraph’s Brussels Correspondent, Joe barnes:**
The truth behind the Qatargate corruption scandal engulfing the European Union “will explode” one day, the former chief investigator has said.
Michel Claise, a Belgian judge who stepped back from the investigation earlier this year, suggested unnamed individuals were attempting to manipulate the truth.
“I never talk about the files I process,” he told RTBF, the Belgian broadcaster. “But I will tell you one thing – everything is in the file. The truth is there. It is not found elsewhere, neither in the television studios nor in certain magazines.
“And the truth will explode one day in the face of those manipulators who try, very simply, to distort it.”
Mr Claise, who writes crime novels in his spare time, became involved in the investigation when the Belgian security services handed him their findings into the corruption and graft scandal that has rocked the EU.
Three MEPs, a former lawmaker and his parliamentary assistant stand accused of accepting bribes from Qatari and Moroccan officials in exchange for political favours.
Police have seized €1.5 million in cash, including a suitcase containing more than €750,000 in a Brussels hotel.
Eva Kaili, a former European Parliament vice-president, was arrested after investigators discovered €150,000 at her property. Francesco Giorgi, her husband, was the parliamentary aide detained as part of the probe.
Ms Kaili, who insists she is innocent of any wrongdoing, has since been released from prison while the investigation continues.
3 comments
**From The Telegraph’s Brussels Correspondent, Joe barnes:**
The truth behind the Qatargate corruption scandal engulfing the European Union “will explode” one day, the former chief investigator has said.
Michel Claise, a Belgian judge who stepped back from the investigation earlier this year, suggested unnamed individuals were attempting to manipulate the truth.
“I never talk about the files I process,” he told RTBF, the Belgian broadcaster. “But I will tell you one thing – everything is in the file. The truth is there. It is not found elsewhere, neither in the television studios nor in certain magazines.
“And the truth will explode one day in the face of those manipulators who try, very simply, to distort it.”
Mr Claise, who writes crime novels in his spare time, became involved in the investigation when the Belgian security services handed him their findings into the corruption and graft scandal that has rocked the EU.
Three MEPs, a former lawmaker and his parliamentary assistant stand accused of accepting bribes from Qatari and Moroccan officials in exchange for political favours.
Police have seized €1.5 million in cash, including a suitcase containing more than €750,000 in a Brussels hotel.
Eva Kaili, a former European Parliament vice-president, was arrested after investigators discovered €150,000 at her property. Francesco Giorgi, her husband, was the parliamentary aide detained as part of the probe.
Ms Kaili, who insists she is innocent of any wrongdoing, has since been released from prison while the investigation continues.
**Continue reading the full article ⤵️**
[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/09/09/truth-eu-qatargate-scandal-explode-former-investigator/](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/09/09/truth-eu-qatargate-scandal-explode-former-investigator/)
Well, it will explode, the responsible people will be found and they’ll be punished. That is the difference to the UK. Innit, Telegraph?
Will explode but nothing of serious consequence will happen to those involved