A leaked police report suggests that Belgian socialist MEP Maria Arena could have a more significant role in the Qatargate scandal than she has admitted.
The Belgian newspaper Sudinfo obtained an 11-page report that is part of the investigation by Belgian authorities.
It reveals phone calls and messages between Arena and Antonio Panzeri, the main suspect in the graft case involving money-in-exchange-for-influence for Qatar.
Based on a declassified document from the Belgian State Security Service, the report shows evidence of public corruption, criminal organization, and money laundering. Although Arena has not been prosecuted and denies any wrongdoing, it puts her in a tight position, particularly since her son became implicated in the case on November 23rd when authorities found large sums of money and drugs in his apartment.
The report cites recorded conversations between Arena and Panzeri, suggesting that she was an essential figure in Panzeri’s network. It also alleges that she received jewelry and gifts, and handled large sums of money.
In one conversation, Panzeri thanked her for “collecting” money.
According to Sudinfo, the report also alleges that Arena’s involvement included contacts with key figures in the Qatargate investigation, such as the Moroccan ambassador to Poland, Abderrahim Atmoun. Atmoun invited Arena and Panzeri to dinners in Marrakech and Belgium and allegedly offered benefits such as free trips and tickets to sporting events for Arena’s son.
Investigators believe that Arena also received instructions from Panzeri. Giuseppe Meroni, former parliamentary assistant to Panzeri, described the connections with Arena as part of a “quadrumvirate” along with MEPs Andrea Cozzolino, Alessandra Moretti, and Belgian Marc Tarabella.
The conversations allegedly reveal that Arena had discussed holding a summit in Nigeria to discuss the humanitarian crisis in the Sahel, Africa. The MEP allegedly planned to organize it through Panzeri’s NGOs, Fight Impunity and No Peace Without Justice, since she could not do it in her capacity as an MEP.
Additionally, In 2022, she had a trip to Qatar from May 7-9 planned. While there, she was to issue an official statement on human rights and discuss “another matter” to the delight of Panzeri.
Belgian authorities believe that during the trip, Panzeri received a Rolex watch from a Qatari minister which he then passed on to Arena, who had also received a necklace.
Arena appears to have carried out tasks and projects directly on behalf of the Qatari Minister of Labor, according to investigators.
“Marie Arena was involved in calculating the remuneration received from Qatar for the work carried out by Panzeri and Giorgi on their behalf,” the report states.
“Marie Arena appears to be carrying out tasks and projects directly on behalf of the Qatari Minister of Labour, who is concerned about the progress of the tasks and projects entrusted to Marie Arena by Panzeri and Giorgi,” it addedShortly after the Qatar trip, Belgian newspapers accused the Belgian Government of withdrawing an arrest warrant against Qatari Labour Minister Ali bin Samikh al-Marri in exchange for the Iran-held NGO worker Olivier Vandecasteele and three other European citizens.
