Belgian Authorities Detain Several Over Alleged Huawei Bribery in European Parliament

Belgian prosecutors have detained multiple individuals over alleged bribery in the European Parliament, reportedly benefiting China’s Huawei.

Authorities conducted 21 searches across Belgium and Portugal on Thursday morning. Following the raids, a judge ordered the sealing of two parliamentary assistants’ offices, federal prosecutors confirmed.

In response, Huawei stated it takes the allegations seriously and is engaging with authorities to fully understand the situation. “Huawei has a zero-tolerance policy on corruption and remains committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations,” the company said.

Prosecutors revealed that the suspected corruption had been occurring discreetly since 2021 under the pretext of commercial lobbying. The scheme allegedly involved payments for political influence and excessive gifts, including luxury travel, fine dining, and football match invitations.

The European Parliament acknowledged receiving a request from Belgian authorities and pledged to fully cooperate with the investigation.

Meanwhile, prosecutors confirmed that an additional suspect had been arrested in France. However, they have not disclosed any names or identifying details.

The detained individuals are being questioned regarding their suspected involvement in corruption, forgery, and the use of false documents. The investigation remains ongoing.