As part of a Belgian inquiry into alleged bribery and illegal lobbying involving Chinese tech corporation Huawei, the European Parliament will discuss whether to lift the immunity of five MEPs, including Maltese Labour MEP Daniel Attard.
Attard said he was aware of the inquiry early this week and asked that his own immunity be lifted, claiming he was ready to cooperate completely. He claims the case relates to his presence at a football game last September, which he subsequently discovered was planned by someone currently under inquiry and meant to discuss Huawei. He confirms a follow-up session in Strasbourg, but he adds no other contact or action ensued.
Roberta Metsola, President of the European Parliament, formally revealed the immunity waiver requests impacting Italian MEPs Salvatore De Meo, Giusi Princi, and Fulvio Martusciello (all from the European People’s Party), as well as Bulgarian MEP Nikola Minchev (Renew Europe).
During its meeting on June 4–5, the Parliament’s Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) will consider the requests. Every MEP will get the opportunity to present their argument. A simple majority vote in the full Parliament will guide the final judgement.
Every one of the five MEPs denies any misbehavior.
