Brussels (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Maria Arena, Belgian former MEP, was charged with partaking in a criminal organization amid the Qatargate probe, she told the media.
Several members of the European Parliament and officials are confronting charges that they did political favors in the Parliament for nations such as Morocco and Qatar in trade for cash and gifts.
Belgian politician told the newspaper La Libre Belgique on January 18, 2025, that the judge charged her for partaking in a criminal organization but not for money laundering or corruption. Most of the other major defendants have been charged with all three indictments.
She described to the media that it was a vindication of herself in light of media reports that pointed out she may have accepted gifts.
For two years, I’ve seen my name sullied and denounced in the press with accusations suggesting gifts I supposedly received in exchange for favors — since that’s what corruption is — and finally, the judge did not retain any of that,
Arena said.
Maria Arena also claimed her innocence and reiterated her claim that the media were out to get her, stating:
In fact, I’m charged because I know other people who themselves are charged for corruption.
Arena’s role in sandal:
Belgian socialist politician Maria Arena was the head of the European Parliament’s subcommittee on human rights and a heading light of her Socialists and Democrats party when the event came to light in late 2022.
Belgian socialist politician gave up her position as chair of the human rights committee in January 2023 after the media disclosed she failed to report travel paid for by Qatar Arena remained as a member of the EU Parliament until the 2024 European Parliament election, where she did not place as a contender. Arena, who the investigating judge questioned, had been questioned by authorities as a suspect in early 2024.