“Qatargate” scandal: Two Italian MPs face being stripped of immunity

Two Italian MEPs from the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats (S&D) are stepping down from their positions amid an investigation into their involvement in the corruption scandal known as "Qatargate."

“Alessandra Moretti and Elisabetta Gualmini, both MEPs, have demanded the suspension of their S&D Group membership,” the statement from an Alliance spokesperson reads, adding it was approved by the S&D Bureau, Caliber.Az reports, citing Politico.

The two Members of the European Parliament, who will now sit with independent legislators, are facing the removal of their legal immunity after the Belgian prosecutor's office filed a request to investigate their role in the corruption scandal.

“An announcement concerning the filing of the request will be made on March 10th by the President Roberta Metsola,” a spokesperson from the Belgian prosecutor’s office said.

According to an arrest warrant reviewed by Politico, Moretti was involved in the investigation from an early stage. She is allegedly linked to other members of the socialist group, such as Andrea Cozzolino, Maria Arena, and Marc Tarabella.

Among the actions recorded in the documents are attempts to block the adoption of six parliamentary resolutions condemning the human rights situation in Qatar, as well as efforts to conclude a visa-free travel agreement between Doha and the EU. All the former MEPs deny their involvement in the "Qatargate" scandal.

By Khagan Isayev