Pier Antonio Panzeri, the alleged mastermind of the Qatargate scandal, is anticipated to present the Belgian justice new names of EU lawmakers from Germany, France and Italy, the lawyer of jailed Greek MEP Eva Kaili stated on Monday.
“Messages and information are coming that he’ll give MEPs from Germany, France, Italy, and Belgium. Concerning individuals from Greece, I can not rule out something, particularly as a result of it’s a pre-election interval”, lawyer Michalis Dimitrakopoulos advised Kontra TV channel in an interview.
Panzeri has made a take care of the Belgian justice to talk out and describe the scandal’s particulars in trade for a softer sentence. On Tuesday, Panzeri will testify for the primary time after the take care of Belgian authorities was sealed.
However for Dimitrakopoulos, Panzeri made a high-risk transfer. “They advised him that he’ll keep in jail for one yr, however he’ll give them the names that they need”, he stated, hinting that Panzeri is politically manipulated.
“Now he’s utterly untrustworthy, and all he cares about is saving his spouse and daughter, and no matter they offer him, he’ll signal,” the Greek lawyer added.
Dimitrakopoulos additionally projected that the deal Panzeri made with the Belgian authorities would “collapse” sooner or later as “there might be robust reactions from the people who Panzeri will accuse”.
He stated two Belgian MEPs are already in opposition to him – Marc Tarabella and Andrea Cozzolino – and they’re anticipated to disclose issues in opposition to Panzeri, which himself has to this point hidden. “So, the deal will collapse on this case”, he stated.
A supply near the matter advised EURACTIV that in response to the deal, Panzeri should inform the entire reality to Belgian justice authorities and conceal nothing. If he doesn’t, he not solely “breaks the deal” however will even be accused of “perverting the course of justice”.
Why silence over Saudi Arabia?
Referring to Eva Kaili’s speech on the European Parliament, the place she praised Qatar for the progress in labour rights, Dimitrakopoulos stated there had been a misunderstanding.
Kaili had stated Qatar is a “frontrunner in labour rights”.
“At this time’s World Cup proves how sports activities diplomacy can obtain a historic transformation of a rustic with reforms that impressed the Arab world. ILO stated Qatar is a frontrunner in labour rights,” she stated.
In keeping with Dimitrakopoulos, Kaili simply put a quote from ILO in her speech and in contrast the progress on labour rights in Qatar with different Gulf nations.
“She simply emphasised the progress of Qatar on labour rights in comparison with Kuwait […] and a few MEPs’ favorite nation… Saudi Arabia”.
“Have you learnt what’s occurring with labour rights in Saudi Arabia? Has any MEP, who now crucify Kaili, come out and in contrast Saudi Arabia with Qatar? The pursuits and lobbies are enormous”, Dimitrakopoulos concluded.
(Sarantis Michalopoulos | EURACTIV.com)
