A suspect within the main corruption scandal rocking the European Union's parliament might be handed over to Belgium, an Italian courtroom dominated.
The courtroom within the northern metropolis of Brescia determined that Maria Dolores Colleoni might be taken to Belgium based mostly on a European arrest warrant linking her to the scandal by her husband, former EU lawmaker Pier Antonio Panzeri.
The courtroom in Brescia specified that any sentence could be served in Italy.
It additionally mentioned in its determination that an allowance for home arrest may ultimately be made additionally in Belgium, the place prosecutors are investigating a plan to hawk affect on behalf of Qatar and Morocco.
Prosecutor Giovanni Benelli made the choice public with out offering particulars, however Colleoni shouldn't be prone to head to Belgium quickly. Her defence attorneys have mentioned they're contemplating an enchantment to Italy's highest courtroom.
Panzeri and three different folks have been charged 9 December with corruption, participation in a prison group and cash laundering.
Belgian prosecutors are investigating in the event that they have been "paid giant sums of cash or provided substantial items to affect parliament's selections".
The allegations that money and items have been exchanged for political affect are on the coronary heart of one of many largest scandals to hit the European Parliament.
Lawmakers final week suspended work on Qatar-related information and vowed to toughen lobbying legal guidelines. Qatar vehemently denies its involvement.
Origins of 1000's of euros in money unclear
Colleoni's lawyer, Angelo de Riso, advised reporters that she is "nervous" concerning the case.
Her defence staff additionally expressed concern that she is likely to be positioned beneath home arrest whereas in Belgium awaiting trial.
Colleoni's attorneys have 5 days to enchantment the choice. Italy's excessive courtroom would then have 10 days to rule on whether or not she needs to be handed over.
"My shopper is nervous. If an individual finds herself on this state of affairs it's clearly worrying," de Riso mentioned.
In line with two European arrest warrants issued by Belgian choose Michel Claise, Panzeri is "suspected of intervening politically with members working on the European Parliament for the advantage of Qatar and Morocco, towards fee."
Colleoni, and their daughter, Silvia Panzeri, are suspected of being "totally conscious" of his actions and serving to to move "items" from Morocco's ambassador to Poland, Abderrahim Atmoun.
Prosecutors mentioned wiretaps uncovered the proof of potential crimes. They have been in search of Colleoni and her daughter's switch to Belgium.
The 2 ladies face 5 years in jail if discovered responsible of participation in a prison group, corruption and cash laundering, based on the warrants.
Together with Panzeri, who leads the Combat Impunity marketing campaign group, the 4 folks already charged embrace a now-former EU parliament vp Eva Kaili and her Italian associate Francesco Giorgi.
Kaili stays in custody in Belgium, awaiting a listening to on Thursday. Her time period in workplace was terminated by EU lawmakers final week. Giorgi, a parliamentary advisor, can be in jail.
Panzeri's daughter's case was scheduled to be heard individually on Tuesday. Each ladies have been held beneath home arrest close to Brescia, although Colleoni was in courtroom on Monday. Panzeri himself is detained in Belgium.
On Friday, a Milan judicial supply advised AP that €17,000 have been seized throughout a search of the couple's residence -- the place Colleoni is beneath home arrest -- in Calusco d'Adda within the Bergamo province northeast of Milan.
Police additionally seized computer systems, cellphones, watches and paperwork.
The supply spoke on the situation of anonymity as a result of they weren't approved to remark publicly.
In statements to the courtroom Monday, Colleoni denied the allegations offered within the arrest warrant, specifically that she benefited from items from Qatari and Moroccan representatives, de Riso mentioned.
The problem of the €17,000 discovered within the couple's home didn't come up, he mentioned.
Earlier than the listening to, de Riso mentioned that handing Colleoni over to Belgian authorities would violate her human rights as a result of an Italian courtroom has already conceded home arrest, and a switch to Belgium would land her in jail pending costs and trial.
Niccolo Figa-Talamanca, secretary-general of the No Peace With out Justice NGO, was additionally charged. He has been launched from jail however stays beneath surveillance and should put on an digital monitoring bracelet.
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