December 9, 2022. As part of a corruption investigation for the benefit of Qatar, the Belgian public prosecutor’s office requested sixteen searches. “Bags of tickets” are found at Eva Kaili, Vice-President of the European Parliament (S&D). More than half a million euros was discovered at the home of former Italian MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri.
December 15. Morocco’s involvement in the scandal is confirmed.
January 17. Pier Antonio Panzeri agrees to collaborate in exchange for a prison sentence firm not exceeding one year. It involves the Belgian Socialist MEP Marc Tarabella, arrested, but also two colleagues and compatriots, the Italians Lara Comi (EPP, right) and Andrea Cozzolino (S & D).