Request for the waiver of the immunity of Alessandra Moretti

The European Parliament decided by 497 votes to 139, with 15 abstentions, to waive the immunity of Alessandra Moretti.

On 27 February 2025, the Belgian Federal Prosecutor issued a request for the waiver of the immunity of Alessandra Moretti, a Member of the European Parliament elected in Italy, in connection with criminal proceedings to be instituted again her. An ongoing investigation in the context of the so-called Qatar-gate affair has allegedly revealed the existence of a criminal organisation within the Union institutions, in particular at the European Parliament, the purpose of which was to bribe Members with the aim of influencing Parliament’s decision-making process in favour of the geopolitical interests of certain third countries. The investigation appears to show that a number of specific advantages were allegedly offered, accepted and even requested by Alessandra Moretti.

According to information provided by the Belgian Federal Prosecutor, a range of different types of evidence was allegedly collected from the co-accused and other suspects under judicial investigation concerning a number of specific advantages which Alessandra Moretti allegedly sought and/or obtained. The evidence was allegedly corroborated by multiple findings of the police services. In exchange for those specific advantages, Alessandra Moretti allegedly attended events or meetings where she spoke in favour of Qatar after having, allegedly, not only passively received instructions but actively sought advice as to what actions to take and what to say in her speeches, and where and when.

Alessandra Moretti is thus suspected of having allegedly committed, between 1 July 2019 and 10 December 2022, unlawful acts which may be classified under Belgian law as participation in the activity of a criminal organisation and as passive bribery, criminal offences under the Belgian Criminal Code.

Parliament considers that the alleged offences do not relate to an opinion expressed or a vote cast by Alessandra Moretti in the exercise of her official functions within the meaning of Article 8 of Protocol No. 7 on the privileges and immunities of the European Union. Furthermore, it has found no evidence to suggest that the legal proceedings in question were initiated with the intention of harming the MEP's political activities in her capacity as a Member of the European Parliament.