Italy to transfer suspect in EU graft investigation to Belgium

A court in Italy ruled this week to transfer a woman suspected to be involved in the EU graft scandal to Belgian authorities. The suspected woman is the wife of a former member of the EU parliament believed to be involved in the alleged corruption taking place.

An appeals court in Italy’s northern city of Brescia on Monday ruled to transfer Maria Dolores Colleoni to Belgian authorities. The court said that there were no grounds to prevent the transfer of Colleoni, who is the wife of former EU parliament member Pier Antonio Panzoni, who prosecutors believe is actively involved in the ongoing corruption.

Colleoni and her daughter Sylvia Panzeri have been under house arrest for over a week in accordance with a European arrest order issued by Belgian magistrates. Both are wanted for alleged “participation in a criminal organization, money laundering, and corruption.” Colleoni and Panzeri’s attorney Angelo De Riso confirmed the decision to reporters, and they have five days to file a possible appeal to the Court of Cassation, the highest court in the country.

Colleoni has denied any wrongdoing and told the court that she did not know anything about her husband’s business dealings, according to De Riso. The hearing to determine the transfer of Colleoni’s daughter to Belgian authorities is set to take place on Tuesday at the same court.

Excerpts of the arrest order by Belgian authorities seen by Reuters alleged that Mr. Panzeri was suspected of receiving payments from Qatar and Morocco in order to influence decisions made in the European Parliament. Colleoni and their daughter allegedly knew of the activities.

The arrest order also said the two women were involved in the transport of gifts, and that Mr. Panzeri and Colleoni used a credit card owned by an unidentified third person referred to as the “giant.

The Qatari government has repeatedly denied the allegations that it was trying to influence decisions in the European Parliament. A diplomat from Qatar’s mission to the European Union reiterated that the Qatari government is not involved.

“Qatar is not the only party named in the investigation, yet our country has been exclusively criticized and attacked,” said the statement. “We have observed this week’s selective condemnation of our country with great alarm.”