In Naples, a pause and a political shock unfolded as Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino was detained at a clinic this Friday, following an arrest warrant issued amid ongoing European investigations. The custody action forms part of a broader international effort led by Belgian authorities pursuing allegations of a bribery conspiracy involving individuals connected to the European Parliament and entities linked to Morocco and Qatar. The case has quickly become a focal point in debates about integrity, lobbying, and governance within Europe’s legislative heart.
According to local media sourcing, the arrest process began when the Finance Police, the tax crime unit, went to Cozzolino’s residence in the Vomero district of Naples. Although officials initially could not locate him, they eventually intercepted the MEP at a medical clinic where he was undergoing routine health checks. Authorities informed him of the arrest, and reports indicate that he may be transferred to a preventive detention facility in the near term. The development was corroborated by public broadcasting entity RAI, which provided ongoing updates on the procedural steps as the day unfolded.
Belgian authorities, meanwhile, notified a separate line of inquiries by contacting the MEPs and offices implicated in the wider investigation, including a request to visit the European Parliament’s office in Ixelles, Brussels. The events underscore a coordinated international dimension to the probe, illustrating how investigations in one country can rapidly involve multiple jurisdictions when alleged corruption and influence-peddling are at stake.
Andrea Cozzolino, now 60, has a long political arc. A former member of the Italian Communist Party, he entered European politics after aligning with the Democratic Party and later becoming part of the European Social Democratic group. His tenure has been marked by a trajectory that reflects shifting allegiances and the evolving landscape of Italian and European center-left politics. His current status in the investigation sits within a broader pattern under scrutiny—one that includes immunity considerations, parliamentary privileges, and the recalibration of trust in public officials.
Last week, the legal landscape around the inquiry widened as AP reported that MEPs Marc Tarabella and Eva Kaili had their parliamentary immunities withdrawn in connection with the same corruption inquiry. Both are alleged to have roles in a bribery scheme aimed at influencing votes and policy alignments within the European Parliament, with particular focus on relationships with Gulf and North African partners. The revelation intensified the discussion about how parliamentary immunity functions in investigations that touch high-ranking lawmakers.
The scandal previously erupted in December, centering on Eva Kaili, who at the time was serving as vice president of the institution. She was charged as investigations uncovered a web of payments and influence-purchasing tied to various actors. The case signaled a breakthrough moment in recognizing how influence campaigns could operate within European governance structures, prompting reforms and tightened oversight measures.
Another key figure in the narrative is Pier Antonio Panzeri, a former Italian Social Democrat deputy who has earned the label of ringleader by prosecutors. Panzeri was arrested and later made a formal decision to cooperate with Belgian authorities, accepting a reduced sentence in exchange for providing critical information that could unravel the network of accomplices involved in the alleged plot. His conduct and the subsequent testimony have been central to unpicking the chain of decisions and financial arrangements alleged to have shaped policy outcomes.
In parallel, Panzeri’s wife and daughter, Maria Colleoni and Silvia Panzeri, faced their own legal scrutiny. They were placed under house arrest in Milan in December after the Belgium-led process raised questions about their awareness of the MEPs’ actions. Subsequent developments saw their release as international authorities reassessed the exchange of information and the compatibility of cross-border warrants. The dynamic showcases how intertwined personal and political dimensions can become in complex corruption investigations.
Amid these major figures, Belgian law enforcement also targeted a Greek political couple, including Francesco Giorgi, and a lobbyist who serves as the general secretary of No Peace Without Justice. The duo is linked to the broader inquiry into how advocacy groups and lobbying networks may have facilitated access, information, and favors that influenced policy discussions in Brussels. The latest steps reflect a sustained effort to map relationships and trace flows of money and influence across different actors and institutions.