Kelly (pictured), one of the Greek vice-presidents of the European Parliament, was accused of accepting bribes to beautify the image of the Middle East country Qatar.

(Reuters)

[Central News Agency] Kelly, one of the deputy speakers of the European Parliament, who is Greek, was accused of accepting bribes to beautify the image of Qatar in the Middle East. European Union Executive Committee President van der Leyen expressed "the highest level" of concern today. The Greek authorities today released all of Kelly's assets freeze.

Belgian prosecutors have indicted four suspects, including Eva Kaili, for allegedly bribing European politicians in the 2022 World Cup host country to improve its image in the European Parliament, AFP reported.

Among them, Kelly, the most well-known, was charged with corruption. Investigators found "several bags of cash" in her home. She continued to be detained yesterday.

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European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said today: "The charges against the Deputy President of the European Parliament are of the highest concern. It is a very serious matter and concerns people's confidence in our system. .To satisfy this confidence and trust in our system requires a higher standard.”

The head of Greece's anti-money laundering authority, Haralambos Vourliotis, announced today that all assets belonging to Kelly and relatives are being frozen, including "bank accounts, safes, companies and other financial assets."

EU Foreign and Security Policy High Representative Josep Borrell also said today that the case was "certainly very, very worrying" and that these were "very, very, very serious allegations".

However, he said no EU diplomatic service or embassies abroad were involved.

"Police and prosecutors have taken action. We must respect those actions," Poirier added, saying he could not speak beyond a judicial statement.

The case has rocked the European Parliament and sparked calls for an exhaustive scrutiny of EU institutions to rule out foreign influence.

Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney said the allegations "are causing harm and we need to get to the bottom of it".

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock warned that the case "is also about Europe's credibility."