Five Members of the European Parliament have been named in connection with an ongoing Belgian investigation into alleged lobbying activities by Chinese technology firm Huawei.
The announcement was made on Wednesday by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, who confirmed that Belgian authorities have formally requested the lifting of parliamentary immunity for two of the five MEPs.
The request applies to Fulvio Martusciello and Giusi Princi, both Italian MEPs from the European People’s Party (EPP). Metsola indicated that the European Parliament will vote on whether to waive their immunity to allow further investigation.
In addition, Metsola publicly identified three further lawmakers who had already acknowledged contact from Belgian prosecutors earlier this week: Salvatore De Meo (EPP, Italy), Daniel Attard (S&D, Malta), and Nikola Minchev (Renew Europe, Bulgaria).
The investigation, led by Belgian federal authorities, centres on allegations that Huawei sought to influence lawmakers through undeclared payments, gifts, and hospitality. Among the methods reportedly under scrutiny are the provision of luxury items, corporate hospitality such as football match tickets, and fully paid trips to China.
Eight individuals have so far been arrested in connection with the probe. These include current and former employees of Huawei, political lobbyists, and assistants to MEPs. No MEPs have been detained to date, but the inclusion of Martusciello’s name follows the arrest of his parliamentary assistant in Italy in April.
According to investigators, the alleged scheme involved Huawei lobbyists attempting to gain favourable political influence within EU institutions. This included informal social engagements and corporate entertainment events in Brussels.
A spokesperson for the European Parliament confirmed receipt of a formal cooperation request from Belgian prosecutors. “The Parliament has received a request for cooperation from the Belgian authorities to assist the investigation, which the Parliament has honoured,” the press office said. It reiterated the institution’s “zero tolerance” stance towards corruption and fraud.
Aperitifs and football matches
Earlier this week, Belgian prosecutors had requested that the European Parliament lift the immunity of five unnamed MEPs. While the names had not been officially confirmed at that time, De Meo, Attard, and Minchev all came forward to disclose that they were subjects of the request.
Salvatore De Meo said that the inquiry concerning him relates to his attendance at a social event — an aperitif — held outside the Parliament and also attended by Huawei representatives. “I am astonished to learn of the Belgian Public Prosecutor’s request to waive my parliamentary immunity, a request that would also appear to concern other colleagues,” he told Italian news agency ANSA. He stated that the event had not been organised by Huawei.
Labour MEP Daniel Attard acknowledged that the investigation relates to his attendance at a football match at Anderlecht stadium in September 2024. He sat in corporate box seats linked to Huawei. “I was not informed that the invitation came from a company or that it was a corporate box,” Attard said on social media. He added that the individual who extended the invitation was under investigation and had reportedly intended to discuss Huawei-related matters with him during the event.
Bulgarian MEP Nikola Minchev, also under scrutiny, confirmed that his appearance at a football match in Huawei’s box at the same venue is the focus of the investigation against him. “My presence at this event is now the reason why the authorities want to investigate whether there was any wrongdoing,” he told Bulgarian media. His assistant’s office was raided by police in March.
Institutional response
In response to the investigation, both the European Commission and the European Parliament have withdrawn access passes for all Huawei lobbyists. Access by related affiliates will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The company has not issued a public statement since the five MEPs were named, although it has previously claimed to uphold a policy of “zero tolerance” towards corruption.
The next procedural step will be a vote in the Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs to determine whether to recommend lifting the immunity of the five MEPs. If approved, a plenary vote will follow.
Neither Fulvio Martusciello nor Giusi Princi responded to requests for comment.
The case adds to mounting concerns about foreign interference within the European legislative process and comes in the context of broader scrutiny of lobbying activities by non-EU actors. Previous scandals have involved alleged influence operations linked to Qatar and Morocco.
The timeline for further developments remains unclear, though Belgian prosecutors are continuing their inquiries. The lifting of immunity, if approved, would allow formal proceedings to commence against the five sitting MEPs named in the investigation.
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