Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Friday, Jun 20, 2025

Italian court rules ex-MEP’s wife can be extradited to Belgium over ‘Qatargate’ charges

Italian court rules ex-MEP’s wife can be extradited to Belgium over ‘Qatargate’ charges

Belgian authorities believe Maria Dolores Colleoni was fully aware of her husband’s activities, according to a warrant seen by POLITICO.
An Italian court ruled Monday that the wife of former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri can be extradited to Belgium for charges in the alleged Qatar corruption scandal that has rocked the European Parliament.

Maria Dolores Colleoni was arrested in Italy earlier this month, along with her daughter, Silvia Panzeri, accused of corruption, money laundering and criminal association. Her husband’s think tank, Fight Impunity, is among the groups at the center of the so-called Qatargate scandal, and he was arrested in Belgium, accused of “intervening politically with members working at the European Parliament for the benefit of Qatar and Morocco.”

Belgian authorities believe Colleoni was fully aware of her husband’s activities, according to an arrest warrant seen by POLITICO. Each family member has denied the accusations.

Prosecutors in Brussels had requested the extradition of both Colleoni and her daughter, whose case will be heard by a separate panel of judges on Tuesday. Colleoni’s lawyers, Angelo De Riso and Nicola Colli, argued that sending Colleoni to Belgium, where she would be held in jail pending trial rather than under house arrest, would violate her human rights. Her defense team also claimed she could cooperate with investigators from Italy, using a law allowing remote interrogations.

But after five hours of proceedings, the judges in Brescia, near Milan, ultimately approved the Belgian request, rejecting the arguments of the defense.

Colleoni will not be sent to Belgium immediately, however: The defense has five days to appeal the case to Italy’s Court of Cassation.
Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
16 Billion Login Credentials Leaked in Unprecedented Cybersecurity Breach
Senate hearing on who was 'really running' Biden White House kicks off
G7 Leaders Fail to Reach Consensus on Key Global Issues
Mass exodus in Tehran as millions try to flee following Trump’s evacuation order
Iranian Military Officers Reportedly Seek Contact with Reza Pahlavi, Signal Intent to Defect
China's Iranian Oil Imports Face Disruption Amid Escalating Middle East Tensions
Trump Demands Iran's Unconditional Surrender Amid Escalating Conflict
Israeli Airstrike Targets Iranian State TV in Central Tehran
President Trump is leaving the G7 summit early and has ordered the National Security Council to the Situation Room
Netanyahu Signals Potential Regime Change in Iran
Analysts Warn Iran May Resort to Unconventional Warfare
Iranian Regime Faces Existential Threat Amid Conflict
Energy Infrastructure Becomes War Zone in Middle East
Iran Conducts Ballistic Missile Launches Amid Heightened Tensions with Israel
Iran Signals Openness to Nuclear Negotiations Amid Ongoing Regional Tensions
Shock Within Iran’s Leadership: Khamenei’s Failed Plan to Launch 1,000 Missiles Against Israel
UK Deploys Jets to Middle East Amid Rising Tensions
Exiled Iranian Prince Reza Pahlavi Urges Overthrow of Khamenei Regime
Wreck of $17 Billion San José Galleon Identified Off Colombia After 300 Years
Iran Launches Extensive Missile Attack on Israel Following Israeli Strikes on Nuclear Sites
Israel Issues Ultimatum to Iran Over Potential Retaliation and Nuclear Facilities
Coinbase CEO Warns Bitcoin Could Supplant US Dollar Amid Mounting National Debt
Trump to Iran: Make a Deal — Sign or Die
Operation "Like a Lion": Israel Strikes Iran in Unprecedented Offensive
Israel Launches 'Operation Rising Lion' Targeting Iranian Nuclear and Military Sites
Israeli Forces Intercept Gaza-Bound Aid Vessel Carrying Greta Thunberg
IMF Warns of Severe Global Trade War Impacts on Emerging Markets
Syria to Reconnect to Global Economy After 14 Years of Isolation
Saudi Arabia Faces Uncertainty Over Succession After Mohammed bin Salman
Israel Confirms Arming Gaza Clan to Counter Hamas Influence
Majority of French Voters View Macron's Presidency as a Failure
U.S. Reduces Military Presence in Syria
Trump Demands Iran End All Uranium Enrichment in Nuclear Talks
Iran Warns Europe Against Politicizing UN Nuclear Report
Businessman Mauled by Lion at Luxury Namibian Lodge
Paris Saint-Germain's Greatest Triumph Is Football’s Lowest Point
OPEC+ Agrees to Increase Oil Output for Third Consecutive Month
Turkey Detains Istanbul Officials Amid Anti-Corruption Crackdown
Meta and Anduril Collaborate on AI-Driven Military Augmented Reality Systems
EU Central Bank Pushes to Replace US Dollar with Euro as World’s Main Currency
European and Arab Ministers Convene in Madrid to Address Gaza Conflict
Head of Gaza Aid Group Resigns Amid Humanitarian Concerns
U.S. Health Secretary Ends Select COVID-19 Vaccine Recommendations
Trump Warns Putin Is 'Playing with Fire' Amid Escalating Ukraine Conflict
India and Pakistan Engage Trump-Linked Lobbyists to Influence U.S. Policy
U.S. Halts New Student Visa Interviews Amid Enhanced Security Measures
Trump Administration Cancels $100 Million in Federal Contracts with Harvard
SpaceX Starship Test Flight Ends in Failure, Mars Mission Timeline Uncertain
King Charles Affirms Canadian Sovereignty Amid U.S. Statehood Pressure
Iranian Revolutionary Guard Founder Warns Against Trusting Regime in Nuclear Talks
×