Belgian authorities must investigate MEP corruption

European parliamentarian and NGO ask for swift enquiry
*****

Brussels, April 5 2011 - Belgian Green MEP Bart Staes and Friends of the
Earth Europe are calling on the Belgian public prosecutor, Johan
Delmulle, to start an official investigation into allegations of
corruption in the European Parliament. [1]

Four members of the European Parliament were allegedly willing to accept
money from lobby groups in return for filing amendments to legal
proposals under the consideration of the Parliament. These allegations
were published in the Sunday Times newspaper on March 20 and March 27.

Bart Staes and Friends of the Earth Europe are calling on the Belgian
prosecutor to investigate. One of the responsibilities of the Belgian
federal prosecutor is to facilitate international cooperation and to act
as the central point of contact for international institutions such as
the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). [2]

OLAF is already carrying out an investigation into this matter but it
will rely on other institutions to apply sanctions in case of
corruption. The European Parliament said last week that OLAF is allowed
to investigate the cases but that it would require a mandate from a
national judicial authority.

Paul de Clerck of Friends of the Earth Europe noted: “The four
parliamentarians seem to be involved in corruption, which is a serious
crime. This should be investigated swiftly and thoroughly and if they
are found guilty there should be strong penalties. The Belgian
government is best placed to ensure that all four MEPs are treated the
same.”

Bart Staes, Green member of the European Parliament, added: “With the
European institutions based in Brussels, Belgium has a special
responsibility to assure that these cases are investigated. As member of
the Parliament, I find it crucial that the reputation of the Parliament
is upheld.”

European parliamentarian and NGO ask for swift enquiry
*****

Brussels, April 5 2011 - Belgian Green MEP Bart Staes and Friends of the
Earth Europe are calling on the Belgian public prosecutor, Johan
Delmulle, to start an official investigation into allegations of
corruption in the European Parliament. [1]

Four members of the European Parliament were allegedly willing to accept
money from lobby groups in return for filing amendments to legal
proposals under the consideration of the Parliament. These allegations
were published in the Sunday Times newspaper on March 20 and March 27.

Bart Staes and Friends of the Earth Europe are calling on the Belgian
prosecutor to investigate. One of the responsibilities of the Belgian
federal prosecutor is to facilitate international cooperation and to act
as the central point of contact for international institutions such as
the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). [2]

OLAF is already carrying out an investigation into this matter but it
will rely on other institutions to apply sanctions in case of
corruption. The European Parliament said last week that OLAF is allowed
to investigate the cases but that it would require a mandate from a
national judicial authority.

Paul de Clerck of Friends of the Earth Europe noted: “The four
parliamentarians seem to be involved in corruption, which is a serious
crime. This should be investigated swiftly and thoroughly and if they
are found guilty there should be strong penalties. The Belgian
government is best placed to ensure that all four MEPs are treated the
same.”

Bart Staes, Green member of the European Parliament, added: “With the
European institutions based in Brussels, Belgium has a special
responsibility to assure that these cases are investigated. As member of
the Parliament, I find it crucial that the reputation of the Parliament
is upheld.”

European parliamentarian and NGO ask for swift enquiry
*****

Brussels, April 5 2011 - Belgian Green MEP Bart Staes and Friends of the
Earth Europe are calling on the Belgian public prosecutor, Johan
Delmulle, to start an official investigation into allegations of
corruption in the European Parliament. [1]

Four members of the European Parliament were allegedly willing to accept
money from lobby groups in return for filing amendments to legal
proposals under the consideration of the Parliament. These allegations
were published in the Sunday Times newspaper on March 20 and March 27.

Bart Staes and Friends of the Earth Europe are calling on the Belgian
prosecutor to investigate. One of the responsibilities of the Belgian
federal prosecutor is to facilitate international cooperation and to act
as the central point of contact for international institutions such as
the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF). [2]

OLAF is already carrying out an investigation into this matter but it
will rely on other institutions to apply sanctions in case of
corruption. The European Parliament said last week that OLAF is allowed
to investigate the cases but that it would require a mandate from a
national judicial authority.

Paul de Clerck of Friends of the Earth Europe noted: “The four
parliamentarians seem to be involved in corruption, which is a serious
crime. This should be investigated swiftly and thoroughly and if they
are found guilty there should be strong penalties. The Belgian
government is best placed to ensure that all four MEPs are treated the
same.”

Bart Staes, Green member of the European Parliament, added: “With the
European institutions based in Brussels, Belgium has a special
responsibility to assure that these cases are investigated. As member of
the Parliament, I find it crucial that the reputation of the Parliament
is upheld.”