The European Parliament has stripped Greek lawmaker Eva Kaili of her senior assembly post over allegations that World Cup host Qatar had bribed her to influence decision-making, charges she has denied, Report informs referring to Reuters.
Kaili, one of 14 vice presidents in the parliament, was among four people arrested and charged in Belgium over the scandal that has triggered outrage in Brussels and risks damaging the European Union’s image.
The case, in which police discovered stacks of cash, casts a shadow over the European Parliament which seeks to be a moral compass, criticising global rights abuses and taking EU governments to task over any hint of impropriety.
Qatar has denied any wrongdoing.
The parliament acted quickly to loosen ties with Kaili, with 625 MEPs voting in favor of the move, only one against and two abstaining.