Belgian authorities have carried out a series of raids targeting individuals suspected of engaging in corruption on behalf of Huawei within the European Parliament.
The large-scale investigation, which spans multiple countries, aims to uncover bribery, money laundering, and the use of forged documents to exert political influence in favour of the Chinese telecommunications giant.
Raids Conducted Across Europe
The Belgian federal prosecutor’s office confirmed that a total of 21 searches were executed across Brussels, Flanders, and Wallonia. In addition, law enforcement authorities in Portugal and France conducted related operations, with at least one individual being arrested in France.
The investigation alleges that Huawei engaged in corrupt lobbying practices within the European Parliament from 2021 to the present.
According to Belgian prosecutors, the suspected wrongdoing took various forms, including monetary compensation for political positions, extravagant gifts, paid travel expenses, and invitations to high-profile events, such as football matches.
The raids were conducted in collaboration with the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and other national agencies.
Suspects and Offices Sealed
While the authorities have yet to disclose the full list of individuals under investigation, reports indicate that around 15 current and former Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are implicated. However, no MEPs have been formally charged or arrested at this stage.
Two offices within the European Parliament have been sealed as part of the investigation. One belongs to Adam Mouchtar, an assistant to Bulgarian MEP Nikola Minchev. Mouchtar is also a co-founder of EU40, a network for young MEPs, which was previously led by Eva Kaili, a central figure in the 2022 ‘Qatargate’ corruption scandal. While Mouchtar confirmed the sealing of his office, he denied any involvement in wrongdoing.
Another office sealed in the raids is linked to assistants working for Italian conservative MEPs Fulvio Martusciello and Marco Falcone. Neither of the lawmakers have commented publicly on the allegations.
One of the primary individuals under scrutiny is Valerio Ottati, a Huawei lobbyist with a background as an assistant to Italian MEPs. Belgian prosecutors suspect that Ottati leveraged his connections to push Huawei’s agenda within the European Parliament, potentially influencing legislative decisions that could have favoured the company’s commercial interests in the EU.
Huawei’s Response and Political Reactions
Huawei has responded to the allegations, stating that it has a strict “zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other wrongdoing.” A company spokesperson said Huawei is committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations and is “urgently communicating with investigators” to clarify the situation.
The European Parliament has pledged full cooperation with Belgian authorities. This latest corruption scandal is drawing comparisons to ‘Qatargate’, a 2022 case in which foreign actors, including Qatar and Morocco, were accused of bribing MEPs to influence EU policies.
The European Parliament has since introduced new ethics rules to prevent similar incidents, but critics argue that lobbying transparency within EU institutions remains insufficient.
Potential Legal and Political Consequences
The investigation is still in its early stages, and it is unclear whether formal charges will be brought against those implicated. However, if proven, the allegations could have far-reaching legal and political consequences.
Given Huawei’s contested position in the European market—particularly in relation to the deployment of 5G infrastructure—this scandal could further strain EU-China relations.
Several European governments have already moved to restrict Huawei’s access to their telecom networks over security concerns. The latest corruption allegations could strengthen calls within the EU for a stricter stance against Chinese technological influence in Europe.
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