Belgian prosecutors announced on Thursday that multiple individuals had been detained for suspected bribery in the European Parliament linked to China's Huawei (HWT.UL).
Authorities conducted searches at 21 locations in Belgium and Portugal, resulting in the sealing of two parliamentary assistants' offices by a judge, according to federal prosecutors.
In response, Huawei stated its commitment to addressing the accusations promptly, underscoring a "zero tolerance policy towards corruption."
The alleged corruption was reported to have been conducted discreetly since 2021, characterized by lobbying activities and illicit favors like financial benefits, travel expenses, and sports event invitations.
The prosecutors highlighted that the bribery scheme was apparently orchestrated to benefit Huawei. The European Parliament confirmed cooperation with Belgian authorities in the ongoing investigation and vowed full compliance.
Additionally, a suspect was apprehended in France as part of the probe. Prosecutors refrained from disclosing identities or information that might reveal the suspects' identities. The individuals were detained for questioning regarding suspected involvement in corruption, forgery, and the use of counterfeit documents within the European Parliament.