Belgian Prosecutors Probe Alleged Corruption in European Parliament

FILED - 20 July 2022, Belgium, Brussels: Flags of the European Union wave in the wind in front of the Berlaymont building of the European Commission in Brussels. Photo: dpa
FILED - 20 July 2022, Belgium, Brussels: Flags of the European Union wave in the wind in front of the Berlaymont building of the European Commission in Brussels. Photo: dpa
TT
20

Belgian Prosecutors Probe Alleged Corruption in European Parliament

FILED - 20 July 2022, Belgium, Brussels: Flags of the European Union wave in the wind in front of the Berlaymont building of the European Commission in Brussels. Photo: dpa
FILED - 20 July 2022, Belgium, Brussels: Flags of the European Union wave in the wind in front of the Berlaymont building of the European Commission in Brussels. Photo: dpa

Belgian prosecutors said on Thursday several individuals had been arrested for questioning in connection with their alleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament.
The prosecutors said 21 searches were carried out by the Federal Police in the Brussels region, as well as in Flanders, Wallonia and in Portugal, Reuters reported.
Prosecutors did not disclose names and functions of the people involved and were not available for further comment.
Corruption, forgery and use of false documents is believed to have taken place regularly and "very discreetly" from 2021 to the present day, the prosecutors said.
It happened "under the guise of commercial lobbying and taking various forms, such as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches," they added.
The prosecutors said several documents and objects had been seized, with the aim to also detect any evidence of money laundering.



Russia Advances in Southern Ukraine, Defense Ministry Says 

Members of the National Police Special Purpose Battalion of Zaporizhzhia region fire a D-30 howitzer towards Russian troops on a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine March 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Members of the National Police Special Purpose Battalion of Zaporizhzhia region fire a D-30 howitzer towards Russian troops on a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine March 7, 2025. (Reuters)
TT
20

Russia Advances in Southern Ukraine, Defense Ministry Says 

Members of the National Police Special Purpose Battalion of Zaporizhzhia region fire a D-30 howitzer towards Russian troops on a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine March 7, 2025. (Reuters)
Members of the National Police Special Purpose Battalion of Zaporizhzhia region fire a D-30 howitzer towards Russian troops on a front line, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Zaporizhzhia region, Ukraine March 7, 2025. (Reuters)

Russian forces were on Monday advancing in southern Ukraine and had pierced part of the Ukrainian lines less than 50 km (31 miles) southeast of the city of Zaporizhzhia, according to Russian officials and pro-Russian military bloggers.

Reuters could not independently verify the assertions and there was no immediate comment from Ukraine.

Russia's Defense Ministry said in a statement that its forces had taken the village of Stepove in the Zaporizhzhia region, pushing through Ukrainian lines.

Yuri Podolyaka, one of the most influential pro-Russian military bloggers, said Russian forces had also smashed their way into the nearby village of Maly Shcherbaky.

"Our units have broken through the first line of defense in the Zaporizhzhia direction," Podolyaka said.

Russia on Sunday tried to drive the last Ukrainian soldiers from western Russia, after a seven-month incursion by Ukraine that aimed to distract Moscow's forces, gain a bargaining chip and rile President Vladimir Putin.