MEP Mark Tarabella’s defense team has requested that the lead investigative judge in the so-called Kattargate investigation, Michel Cleese, recuse himself from the case over possible bias, according to a document from his lawyer seen by POLITICO.
Maxim Toler, Tarabella’s lawyer, said, “The judge clearly takes into account the disputed facts.” “It’s a problem.”
belgian law enforcement last friday Arrested Tarabella, Belgian Member of the European Parliament, charge corruption, money laundering and taking part in a criminal organisation, in the latest development in an ongoing corruption investigation that is rocking the EU since last december,
Two other MEPs, Italian Andrea Cozzolino and former Vice-President of the European Parliament Eva Calli, have also been arrested. Former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri, who recently agreed cooperate with the authorities In return for a more lenient sentence, Francesco Giorgi, a former assistant to both Panzeri and Cozzolino, and Cali’s accomplice, is also both behind bars. Nicolo Figa-Talamanca, an NGO boss, was recently Free from jail but the charge remains, according to a family member.
The saga has shed a spotlight on the inner workings of the Socialists and Democrats (S&D) – the group to which all three sitting European MPs belonged, and were later deprecated,
Tarabella, currently in custody at St Gilles prison in Brussels, faces a preliminary hearing on Thursday, like Kelly.
Toler argues that Claes’ arrest warrant against Tarabella violates his client’s presumption of innocence. in warrant, Conflict Tarabella’s public position “was not initially in favor of Qatar, and these positions were reversed when the suspicious transfer of funds was discovered.”
“With this clear assertion, the judge’s opinion on M. Tarabella’s guilt is clearly implied,” Toler said in the request.
The Belgian prosecutor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
“Since a denial request has been filed, Claes can no longer be involved in this case,” said Eva Kelly’s new lawyer. sven marie, said on Thursday. Claes “He’ll have to decide for himself if he stays [the] The judge in this case,” Mary told reporters, adding that she had no information whether the request was a valid basis or not.
“If he decides to stay, then [Brussels] The Court of Appeal will have to decide within eight days whether he can continue to be part of this investigation,” Mary said.
The request to set aside the hearing to confirm Kelly’s detention does not affect the hearing scheduled for Thursday. If the court decides not to release Kaili, she will have to remain in custody for at least two more months.
Kelly’s attorneys are seeking a conditional release for their client, for example with electronic monitoring. Marie said “Haren being in prison” is a difficult situation for the mother of the 24-month-old, who is being raised by a grandfather. “I think his place is at home with the baby.”
In a letter sent to the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, Spotted by Politico10 Italian MEPs from the S&D group raised concerns about the treatment of Eva Cali, who has only been allowed to see her child twice since being detained more than two months ago.
Kelly’s lawyers did in the past objected to his treatment while in custody.
The recusal request is the latest effort by defendants involved in the Qatargate investigation to fight back. Assertive strategy of Belgian investigators,