Brussels – On Thursday, authorities conducted a series of raids in Belgium and Portugal as part of an investigation into corruption linked to the European Parliament and the Chinese telecom behemoth, Huawei. A suspect was also apprehended in France.
The Belgian judge overseeing the case ordered the sealing of multiple offices within the Parliament located in Brussels and Strasbourg, particularly those connected to two parliamentary aides identified as suspects, according to the federal prosecutor’s office.
The prosecutor’s office revealed that corruption has been occurring “regularly” and “very discreetly” since 2021, disguised as commercial lobbying. This involved payments for political roles, as well as “lavish gifts” including dining expenses, travel, and invitations to sporting events.
A suspect was arrested in France under a European arrest warrant issued by Belgian authorities.
Huawei is central to ongoing technological tensions between China and other global powers, with the United States raising suspicions—though without solid evidence—that the company’s equipment may be utilized for espionage. (March 13, 2025)
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