Investigators searching for evidence in a Huawei-related bribery case have raided European Parliament offices, as part of a probe that has now spread across two countries. The case involves alleged bribes paid by Huawei to sway European lawmakers over several years.
Five individuals have already been charged, including four accused of corruption and membership in a criminal organization. A fifth has been released on conditions after facing money laundering charges. Authorities in Belgium confirmed they had searched 21 properties in connection to the investigation.
What is going on in Europe?
The E.U. is now embroiled in a spiraling corruption & bribery scandal involving CCP spy gear maker Huawei.
The corruption scandal involves “preliminary charges of active corruption, forgery of documents, money laundering” at the European Parliament. pic.twitter.com/guS56y8TZK
— Brendan Carr (@BrendanCarrFCC) March 14, 2025
The scandal centers on claims that Huawei began offering lawmakers money and valuable gifts in 2021. The alleged benefits included free travel, food, and tickets to sports events. In return, politicians are believed to have supported policy positions favorable to the Chinese telecom firm.
Corruption in the Parliament – Same old?
"Huawei had a great interest, big money" @petras_petras
"There's rules to enforce ethics guidelines, but they choose not to" @swheaton
"This is unacceptable" R. Lewis @Brussels_School
Watch #BrusselsMyLove all weekend on @euronews pic.twitter.com/hKdMoM4F84
— euronews (@euronews) March 23, 2025
A 2021 letter written and signed by members of the European Parliament is a key part of the investigation. The letter opposed EU efforts to limit Chinese access to telecom infrastructure. Though it did not name Huawei, prosecutors say the content mirrored Huawei’s lobbying interests.
Belgian police conducted raids on Huawei's offices in Brussels and the homes of the company's lobbyists as part of an investigation into alleged corruption within the European Parliament. Authorities suspect that the Chinese tech giant offered bribes and luxury privileges to… pic.twitter.com/aeYxCARFrN
— TVP World (@TVPWorld_com) March 15, 2025
One of the signatories, Italian lawmaker Fulvio Martusciello, is under scrutiny after both his assistant and a former aide were arrested. Prosecutors say the person who drafted the letter may have been offered over $16,000, with smaller payments handed out to those who signed it.
2025.3.16 Belgium is investigating Huawei, a CCP military-linked company associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), over allegations of bribing European Parliament members and engaging in illegal lobbying to undermine espionage accusations and sway EU policies. Raids… pic.twitter.com/GfLxwBIQ9S
— 台灣寶島農場🇹🇼 (@N0000024) March 17, 2025
The EU’s own anti-fraud office, OLAF, received an early tip about possible misconduct but declined to investigate. Officials said they lacked sufficient suspicion to justify opening a case, a decision now being called into question.
Huawei not only uses predatory pricing practices to undercut the more secure western products but it appears they use bribery too…https://t.co/zDNuCJ3W7h
— Rob Joyce (@RGB_Lights) March 19, 2025
The scandal is the latest in a string of corruption cases involving foreign governments and European lawmakers. Previous investigations have revealed bribes from officials in Qatar, Morocco and Mauritania totaling millions of dollars.
