Belgian authorities have officially withdrawn the request to lift the immunity of European parliamentarian Giusi Princi related to an investigation into a cash-for-influence scandal involving the Chinese technology company Huawei. The decision came less than 24 hours after the request was initially announced by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.
The request to lift immunity also applied to four other MEPs: Nikola Minchev, Daniel Attard, Fulvio Martusciello, and Salvatore De Meo. Princi has previously disputed the allegations that prompted the investigation, asserting that she was in Italy at the time of the meeting she was accused of attending and had not yet taken up her role as an MEP.
In a statement sent via email, Princi explained that the investigating judge received new evidence from the federal police that justified the withdrawal of the request to revoke her parliamentary immunity. She expressed relief at the decision, stating, “I am relieved by the request for urgent revocation to confirm my total non-involvement in the so-called Huaweigate,” while also expressing her shock at being implicated based on what she described as objectively non-existent elements.
The withdrawal of the immunity request is likely to add to the frustration among EU lawmakers regarding Belgian authorities, who have struggled to secure convictions in the Qatargate cash-for-influence scandal that significantly impacted the reputation of the European Parliament in 2022. As the investigation continues, the implications for accountability and governance within the EU remain a critical concern.
