“ European Union foreign ministers expressed dismay on Monday over a Belgian investigation into allegations that World Cup host Qatar had lavished cash and gifts on European Parliament officials to influence decision-making.
Prosecutors searched 16 houses and seized 600,000 euros ($631,800) in Brussels on Friday as part of the probe, which has triggered calls for more oversight of European policymaking.
Four people were arrested and charged with “participation in a criminal organisation, money laundering and corruption,” prosecutors said in a statement on Sunday.
They did not name the suspects, but a source close to the case said one of the European Parliament’s vice presidents, Greek socialist Eva Kaili, was amongst those charged. Her office did not respond to a request for a comment.”……