Belgian police have conducted a raid on Huawei’s headquarters in Brussels, as part of a major corruption probe linked to alleged bribery within the European Parliament. The search was part of a broader operation that targeted 20 additional locations across Belgium and Portugal, leading to several arrests, according to prosecutors.
Corruption and Bribery Allegations
The Belgian Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that the investigation involves preliminary charges of active corruption, document forgery, and money laundering at the European Parliament. The alleged bribery is suspected to have been orchestrated by lobbyists representing Huawei, who are accused of influencing EU decision-making in the company’s favor.
As part of the operation, a judge has ordered the sealing of two European Parliament offices that belonged to assistants implicated in the case.
Huawei’s EU Lobbying Tactics Under Scrutiny
The investigative website Follow the Money, in collaboration with Belgian newspapers Le Soir and Knack, revealed that one of the key suspects is 41-year-old Valerio Ottati, the Huawei Director of EU Public Affairs.
Ottati previously worked as an assistant to two Italian Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), both of whom were involved in EU-China policy discussions. Reports suggest that Ottati lacked any technical expertise and was allegedly hired by Huawei solely for his political connections.
EU Raises Security Concerns Over Huawei
The European Commission has refrained from commenting on the investigation but reiterated its long-standing security concerns over Huawei’s involvement in Europe’s 5G telecommunications networks.
EU spokesperson Thomas Regnier emphasized the bloc’s concerns, stating:
“Huawei represents materially higher risks than other 5G suppliers. EU member states should adopt decisions to restrict or exclude Huawei from their 5G networks.”
This latest development adds further pressure on Huawei’s operations in Europe, as the company has faced increasing scrutiny over its ties to the Chinese government and cybersecurity risks.
What’s Next?
As the investigation unfolds, authorities are expected to reveal more details about the extent of Huawei’s alleged influence over EU decision-making. If proven, this scandal could have major legal and political consequences for both Huawei and the European policymakers involved.
The case also raises further questions about foreign influence and lobbying transparency within the European Parliament, which has faced previous corruption scandals in recent years.
