The European Public Prosecutor requested today the lifting of the immunity of Ms. Eva Kaili, a member of the European Parliament, who is at the centre of the Qatargate scandal and is already in custody, and MEP Maria Spyrakis, a member of the European Parliament.

The request by the EU Prosecutor’s Office is not connected with Qatargate, in which Mrs. Eva Kaili is involved.

Based on an investigative report received by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), there are suspicions of fraud against the EU budget, in relation to the management of parliamentary compensation, and in particular the remuneration of accredited parliamentary assistants.

According to the applicable national law, Ms. Kaili and Ms. Spyraki are entitled to the presumption of innocence.

For her part, Maria Spyraki in her statement to the Athens News Agency said: “I gladly accept the request to lift my immunity in order to make it clear that I do not have a single euro of financial difference with the European Parliament. The matter concerns the allowance of my ex-foreign colleague, who faced a serious personal problem and had some absences from the meeting place of the European Parliament. I have nothing to do with Qatargate, I have nothing to do with any other case.”

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