While the investigation into the Qatargate scandal, which broke in late 2022, is still ongoing, is the European Parliament now facing a "Huaweigate"? On Thursday, March 13, Belgian police carried out a series of searches in Brussels and arrested several former and current lobbyists for the Chinese telecommunications group Huawei, on charges of "corruption," "forgery and use of forgeries," "money laundering" and "criminal organization." Portuguese judicial authorities also raided a Portuguese company suspected of receiving wire transfers intended for MEPs. Finally, one person was arrested in France.

According to revelations from the daily newspaper Le Soir and the investigative platform Follow the Money, some 15 former and current members of the European Parliament are allegedly involved in the case, though no names have been revealed. "Personal data and/or other elements allowing the identification of the persons concerned, cannot be disclosed at this stage," said the Belgian public prosecutor. In the Chamber, seals have been placed on the desks of parliamentary assistants, while the parliament confirmed that it had "received a request for cooperation from the Belgian authorities to assist the investigation."

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