In a high-profile corruption investigation involving Chinese technology behemoth Huawei, the European Parliament has formally identified five legislators under inquiry. Prosecutors in Belgium want to remove the parliamentary immunity of the five MEPs charged with accepting presents in return for lobbying on Huawei’s behalf.
European Parliament President Roberta Metsola confirmed on Wednesday that the legislators targeted are:
- Daniel Attard (Maltese, Socialist group)
- Nikola Minchev, centrist Bulgarian,
- Salvatore De Meo, Italian, European People’s Party,
- Italian Fulvio Martusciello is with the European People’s Party.
- Giusi Princi ( Italian, European People’s Party)
Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs will now consider the request to lift their immunity—submitted by Belgium’s federal prosecutor—and prepare a report and vote on it. The 720-member Parliament will then decide in a final vote.
The two-month investigation is part of a larger corruption inquiry first revealed in March 2025, when more than 100 Belgian police officers searched numerous sites throughout Belgium, France, and Portugal. Allegedly occurring discreetly and systematically since 2021, the Belgian prosecutor’s office classified the case as involving “active corruption,” forgery, and the use of false documents.
Under the cover of commercial lobbying, the prosecution claimed that the claimed misbehavior comprised giving MEPs lavish presents including luxury meals, travel, and football match invites. According to Politico, eight people have so far been charged; one is a senior Huawei executive in Europe.
Daniel Attard verified being in a corporate box at Anderlecht’s stadium for a football game, but he said he did not know it was linked to Huawei or the person under inquiry.
Nikola Minchev also acknowledged being at a Huawei-hosted game; he said he would cooperate completely and asked for his immunity removed quickly.
Giusi Princi dismissed claims about meeting with Huawei officials, noting she was at a school function in Italy on the specified date and had proof to support it.
Fulvio Martusciello had earlier signed letters opposing limitations on Chinese businesses to the European Commission.
Salvatore De Meo has not publicly commented.
Huawei refuted all accusations, claiming it has a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and entirely meets all legal and legislative requirements.
The developing scandal arrives at a sensitive moment for EU-China relations as recent diplomatic initiatives—including China lifting penalties on current European legislators—had sought to reduce tensions. The case raises major worries regarding foreign influence and openness inside EU institutions and threatens to disrupt such initiatives.
