Lucia Simeone, the associate of Forza Italia MEP Fulvio Martusciello, was arrested by Italian authorities following a European arrest warrant issued by Belgian justice. She is accused of collaborating with criminal groups, money laundering and corruption, as part of an international investigation involving the Chinese telecommunications company Huawei.
According to Italian media reports, the investigation has begun in Brussels and is related to suspicions of attempted corruption of members of the European Parliament, to favor Huawei's economic interests in Europe. So far, the investigation has led to the arrest of 4 lobbyists linked to the Chinese telecommunications giant, who are suspected of bribing around fifteen MEPs and former MEPs of the EP to favor Chinese interests in Europe. However, so far, no MEP or aide had been formally investigated until Simeone was implicated.
During a series of checks at the European Parliament, Belgian investigators had temporarily seized the offices of two assistants linked to Forza Italia.
The investigation has shed light on several members of Forza Italia, including Martusciello, who has been mentioned several times by the Belgian media. Although his name has come to light during the investigation, the European Public Prosecutor's Office has clarified that the investigation against Martusciello is ongoing, but no arrest warrants have been issued for him at the moment. However, this case has drawn attention to its political and legal dimensions, warning of the possibility of further developments in the coming days. (A2 Televizion)
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