Members of the European Parliament who were among those who signed a 2021 letter regarding the EU’s 5G policy—and which has now become part of an investigation into potential corruption tied to the Chinese technology company Huawei—have informed Euronews that they did not receive any compensation or incentives for backing the letter.
Last week,
Five individuals were accused in a bribery investigation.
connected to Huawei, reportedly under investigation by Belgian prosecutors for offering bribes to European Union legislators.
The Belgian Public Prosecutor’s office stated that four individuals faced charges of “active corruption and involvement in a criminal organization,” whereas a different person was accused of engaging in money laundering.
Italian daily
La Repubblica
According to reports, Belgian prosecutors claim that a corruption ring operating near the European Parliament allegedly bribed Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to endorse a letter criticizing the EU’s policy aimed at excluding Chinese and other international suppliers from participating in the development of 5G networks within EU countries.
The central letter in these accusations is from January 4, 2021, addressed to former Executive Vice-Presidents Margrethe Vestager and Valdis Dombrovskis as well as ex-Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton. This correspondence contended that national governments ought not prohibit the utilization of imported 5G equipment—not specifically mentioning Huawei—due to concerns about potential threats to national security.
The agreement was signed by eight Members of the European Parliament: six affiliated with the European People’s Party (EPP) and two with the Socialists and Democrats (S&D). Among them, three are no longer serving as MEPs—Italian member Giuseppe Ferrandino and Romanian members Ciuhodaru Tudor and Cristian-Silviu Busoi.
The leftover signatories are still Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), and they all refuted receiving any payments for signing the letter when questioned by Euronews.
I have not encountered any delegates, officials, or lobbyists from China, nor have I interacted with anyone from Huawei. Hence, there cannot be any discussion about external pressures or promises,” stated MEP Daniel Buda to Euronews. He added that his support for the letter stemmed from highlighting the importance of extending high-speed internet services to remote regions. Furthermore, he noted that the specific technological aspects and strategies required for deploying such infrastructures fall outside his field of knowledge.
“I haven’t met anybody from Huawei, nor have I ever spoken with someone who works there, whether directly or as a lobbyist for them,” said Italian MEP Herbert Dorfmann (EPP) to Euronews, refuting all claims of bribery.
Aldo Patriciello, another signatory, said he had never received pressure or remuneration from Huawei, nor met Huawei’s representatives, his office told Euronews.
MEP Giuseppe Milazzo, one of the signatories who currently belongs to the European Conservatives and Reformists group, chose not to provide an on-the-record comment to Euronews. However, he directed them to a statement he previously gave to the Italian news agency ANSA.
He told ANSA that he has received neither money nor presents of any kind, either directly or indirectly, from Huawei.
Buda, Dorfman, and Patriciello (through his office) informed Euronews that they became aware of the letter through colleague Fulvio Martusciello, whose parliamentary aide, Lucia Simeone, had discovered it.
arrested
in Italy last week and is suspected of having received 1,000 euros through the corruption scheme.
When contacted by Euronews, Martusciello refuted allegations of corruption, asserting that he did not receive “any promises or pressures to sign the letter.” He also mentioned that he had briefly encountered Huawei lobbyists but clarified that neither he nor his team ever visited the company’s premises.
In 2021, the correspondence was highlighted through an anonymous report submitted to Transparency International, a nongovernmental organization dedicated to fighting worldwide corruption. This information was verified with Shari Hinds, who works as the Policy Officer for EU Political Integrity at Transparency, when she spoke to Euronews.
In 2022, the association informed the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) about this matter, as stated by Hinds. He mentioned that despite OLAF’s decision not to pursue an investigation, the NGO took the allegation very seriously due to previous similar instances.
Hinds stated that the European Parliament presently does not have a “culture of integrity,” as its transparency measures are inadequate to stop misconduct and the current penalties are too lenient to discourage corruption effectively.
