Andrea Cozzolino News: Italian MEP Arrested For Corruption- Where Is He Now?
People want to get updated on Andrea Cozzolino News. Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino was arrested for corruption. Let’s dive deep to know more about Andrea Cozzolino News and other details.
Italian politician Andrea Cozzolino has been serving as a member of the European Parliament for more than a decade. Initially elected as an MEP in 2009, he has since been re-elected twice, in 2014 and 2019, showcasing his popularity and support among the masses.
He is an active member of the Regional Development Committee in the House of Representatives, a position he has held since 2014. Recently, in 2019, he also joined the Subcommittee on Human Rights, highlighting his dedication towards fighting for human rights and justice.
In addition to his current positions, Cozzolino has previously held memberships in other crucial committees, including the Committee on Budgetary Control from 2009-2012, the Committee on Budgets from 2009-2013, and the Committee on Petitions from 2014-2019, illustrating his experience and knowledge in diverse areas of politics.
Andrea Cozzolino News: Italian MEP Arrested For Corruption
Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino was taken into custody on Friday night as part of an investigation into alleged corruption in the European Parliament. However, according to his attorney who spoke to POLITICO, he has since been released and is back at home. Nonetheless, ANSA reports that he is still under house arrest.
Cozzolino has objected to his extradition to Belgium, where the investigation is taking place, due to the “method of proceeding” in Belgian justice. His legal team claimed to have reached out to the judge numerous times since December 21 but never received a response.
According to ANSA, Cozzolino’s extradition hearing is scheduled for Tuesday morning. Belgian authorities ordered his arrest, and they apprehended Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella in an early morning operation on Friday.
More Details on Andrea Cozzolino News Update
On Friday, the Belgian police conducted new raids related to the investigation into MEPs Marc Tarabella and Andrea Cozzolino.
A spokesperson for the Belgian prosecutor confirmed that police searched Cozzolino’s home in Brussels and sealed his office in the European Parliament, though they did not conduct a search there.
The prosecutor also said that several offices in Anthisnes, where Tarabella is still mayor, and a safe deposit box owned by Tarabella in Liège were searched.
According to legislative findings, Tarabella and Cozzolino may have broken Belgian law by engaging in corruption, belonging to a criminal group, or money laundering. However, the prosecutor’s statement only mentioned corruption and money laundering.
Niccol Figà-Talamanca, the secretary-general of No Peace Without Justice, was one of the four initial detainees in the case and was released from prison by the Belgian investigative judge last week.
Former vice president of the European Parliament Eva Kaili, her partner Francesco Giorgi, and former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri are the other three suspects currently being held. Panzeri agreed to cooperate with investigators in January.
Professional Details of Andrea Cozzolino
Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino was recently suspended from the PD party after being linked to the Qatargate corruption scandal.
The National Commission of Guarantee of the PD made the cautious decision to suspend Cozzolino from the party until the conclusion of the ongoing judicial investigations. Additionally, Cozzolino abstained from voting on the resolution of the European Parliament declaring the Russian Federation to be a state supporter of terrorism.
Furthermore, Cozzolino has announced his intention to renounce his membership in the PD party following the announcement by Brando Benifei, Leader of the PD Party in the European Parliament, of the Party’s vote in favor of the request for waiver of immunity for MEPs Cozzolino and Marc Tarabella, requested by the Belgian Prosecutor and supported by President Roberta Metsola.
