EU Crypto Bullish MEP Arrested Over Corruption Charges

Crypto enthusiast and a Vice President of the European Parliament, Eva Kaili have been detained over corruption allegations relating to World Cup hosts, Qatar.

The announcement was made via AFP news. According to the report, Kaili was arrested in Brussels alongside four other people after anti-corruption investigators conducted 16 searches in connection with money payments made by Qatar to influence the decisions of European Parliament members.

According to the Belgian newspaper L’Echo, many money-filled bags were discovered at Kaili’s home in Brussels. After searching her home, police allegedly discovered her father with a large sum of money in a bag.

The European Parliament’s Socialists and Democrats group also announced on Twitter that Kaili had been suspended from the group due to continued corruption investigation charges leveled against her.

Kaili was in charge of representing the head of the parliament in the Middle East, but her duties have now been temporarily removed.

According to a report from Qatari media, Kaili visited Qatar in November and met with state authorities there. She also complimented the country’s labor market changes.

During her visit, Kaili emphasized the European Parliament’s desire to improve ties with Qatar and the other GCC nations, noting that her current trip to Doha is part of an effort to identify new ways to enhance parliamentary cooperation with the Qatari Shura Council.

Investigations in the Blockchain Industry

The arrest of Kaili has shocked the blockchain industry and Brussels in general, especially given the current financial situation in the crypto market, and investigations into Sam Bankman-Fried are still ongoing.

The European Parliament said they are fully ready to cooperate with authorities in charge of Kaili’s investigation.

FTX’s former CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, on the other hand, has been summoned to appear before a Texas regulator on February 2, to respond to allegations of selling unregistered securities products through its yield-bearing service.

The Texas State Security Board (TSSB) recommended holding the hearing via Zoom and notified Bankman-Fried of the hearing via a registered letter sent to his Bahamas address.