Corruption Case: Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino Has Been Arrested Along With Other MEP Marc Tarbella

People are seeking information about the recent developments surrounding Italian MEP, Andrea Cozzolino. There have been reports of his arrest on charges of corruption, and the public is eager to learn more about the story. In this article, we will delve deeper into Cozzolino’s news and provide additional details on the matter.

Since 2009, Italian politician Andrea Cozzolino has held a seat in the European Parliament. He was first chosen to serve as an MEP in 2009, and he was chosen again in 2014 and 2019. Since 2014, Cozzolino has served on the House of Representatives Regional Development Committee. In 2019, he also became a member of the Subcommittee on Human Rights.

Cozzolino has previously served as a member of the Committee on Budgetary Control (2009–2012), the Committee on Budgets (2009–2013), and the Committee on Petitions (2014–2019). Learn more about Andrea Cozzolino’s news now.

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Andrea Cozzolino Update: An Italian MEP has been arrested on suspicion of corruption

Andrea Cozzolino, an Italian MEP, was detained on Friday night as part of the investigation into alleged corruption in the European Parliament, according to his attorney, who spoke to POLITICO. Now he’s back at his house. Despite having come home, Cozzolino is still under house arrest, according to ANSA.

He has raised concerns about his extradition to Belgium, per the statement, due to the “method of proceeding” in Belgian justice. The legal team for Cozzolino asserted that since December 21, they repeatedly wrote to the judge requesting an opportunity to be heard but never received a response.

The extradition hearing for Cozzolino is scheduled for Tuesday morning, according to ANSA. Belgian authorities issued the arrest warrant, and the operation began early Friday morning with the capture of Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella. Cozzolino and Tarabella‘s immunity was waived in a plenary meeting on Thursday, allowing Belgian investigators to detain them.

Further Information on the Andrea Cozzolino News Story

Belgian authorities also conducted new raids on Tarabella and Cozzolino on Friday. The spokesperson for the Belgian prosecutor confirmed that Belgian police had searched Cozzolino’s home in Brussels earlier on Friday and had sealed his office at the European Parliament but had not searched it.

According to a press release from the prosecutor, numerous offices in the Walloon municipality of Anthisnes, where Tarabella is still the mayor, and a safe deposit box that belonged to Tarabella at a bank in Liège were also searched.

Legislative findings suggest that Tarabella and Cozzolino may have violated Belgian law through corruption, gang membership, or money laundering. However, in its communication on Friday, the prosecutor’s office only emphasized corruption and money laundering.

*Niccol Figà-Talamanca- Secretary-General of No Peace Without Justice* (Image Source: ROARS)

One of the four initial detainees in the case, Niccol Figà-Talamanca, the secretary-general of No Peace Without Justice, one of the nongovernmental organizations linked to the Qatargate corruption scandal, was released from prison by the Belgian investigative judge in charge of the case late last week.

The other three suspects are currently being held: former vice president of the European Parliament Eva Kaili, her partner Francesco Giorgi, and former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri. In January, Panzeri consented to assist the investigators. Both Tarabella and Cozzolino deny any wrongdoing.

Cozzolino’s professional information; Let’s Have A Look

On November 23, 2022, Cozzolino did not participate in voting on the European Parliament resolution designating the Russian Federation as a state sponsor of terrorism.

*MEP Andrea Cozzolino* (Image Source: The Brussels Times)

Cozzolino was expelled from the party on December 16, 2022, “until the conclusion of the ongoing judicial investigations relating to the ‘Qatargate’ incident,” following a cautious decision by the PD’s National Commission of Guarantee.

Following the announcement that the PD Party voted in favor of Belgian Prosecutor and President Roberta Metsola‘s request for immunity waivers for MEPs Cozzolino and Marc Tarabella, Cozzolino declares his intention to renounce it. Brando Benifei is the leader of the PD Party in the European Parliament.

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