Athens, Dec 12 (EFE) – Greek authorities on Monday froze the assets of European Parliament vice president Eva Kaili, as well as those of her closest relatives, anti-money laundering authority chief Haralambos Vourliotis said in a statement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kaili was arrested on Sunday on corruption charges for allegedly receiving hefty bribes from Qatar to influence EP policy regarding the World Cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A judge in Belgium charged her and another three people \u2014 including her partner, Italian Franceso Giorgi \u2014 for their involvement in a criminal organization engaged in corruption and money laundering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The assets freeze of the European MEP, was ordered by Vourliotis because they may have links to illegal activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kaili\u2019s father was also arrested in Brussels on Friday and was found carrying a bag with 600,000 euros in cash in an alleged attempt to flee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EP president Roberta Metsola on Saturday announced the suspension of Kaili as vice president with \u201cimmediate effect\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The European Socialists and Democrats group, to which Kaili belonged, also suspended Kaili\u2019s membership on Saturday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Greek banks and relevant state authorities have been informed of the decision to freeze Kaili\u2019s assets, Vourliotis added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
European Commission chief, Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday that the charges against Kaili were \u201cof utmost concern, very serious.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
EC vice president Josep Borrell also described the probe as \u201cvery, very worrisome.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qatar has called the reported links to its government in the probe as “baseless and gravely misinformed,” a statement published by Qatar\u2019s foreign ministry on Twitter on Sunday read. EFE<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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