(17 Jan 2023)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Brussels - 17-Jan-2023
1. Various of Laurent Kennes, lawyer for Pier Antonio Panzeri, former Member of European Parliament (MEP), speaking to media
2. SOUNDBITE (French) Laurent Kennes, lawyer for Pier Antonio Panzeri, former Member of European Parliament:
"I think that in 25 years I have rarely seen so many leaks in a case. That's one of the reasons why we decided not to comment. We think it's polluting the investigation and it's not only an infringement of the right of defense in general, but we've learned elements from leaks in the press. I have learned about elements of the case through what is written in the press, in particular articles in Le Soir or in La Repubblica where we discover elements to which we do not even have access yet, because these are pieces that were released one day after we had access to the file. So, it's quite extraordinary. And the danger is obviously that it not only pollutes the investigation, but it also smears people. We can already see this with two people who are being asked to have their immunity waived, who have not even been questioned yet, who are going to be questioned later, and the elements of the file about which they are going to be questioned have already been communicated to these people, at least partially. So that undermines the quality of the investigation, that undermines the credibility of the investigation."
3. Various of media, Kennes walking to courtroom
4. Exterior of Brussels Justice Palace
STORYLINE:
Former EU lawmaker and lobbyist Pier Antonio Panzeri appeared in front of a judge in Brussels on Tuesday to ask for his release, as investigations continue in to what could be the EU’s biggest corruption scandal ever.
The judge is expected to announce the court's decision later in the day.
Panzeri, according to an arrest warrant, “is suspected of intervening politically with members working at the European Parliament for the benefit of Qatar and Morocco" in exchange for payment.
Panzer's lawyer, Laurent Kennes, refused to make any comments and blamed leaks published by the media.
"I think that in 25 years I have rarely seen so many leaks in a case, that's one of the reasons why we decided not to comment. We think it's polluting the investigation," he said.
Kennes deplored the fact that elements of the case have been divulged, as additional people are expected to be heard for the investigation.
"The danger is obviously that it not only pollutes the investigation, but it also smears people. We can already see this with two people who are being asked to have their immunity waived, who have not even been questioned yet, who are going to be questioned later, and the elements of the file about which they are going to be questioned have already been communicated to these people, at least partially. So that undermines the quality of the investigation, that undermines the credibility of the investigation," Kennes said, referring to Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino and Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella, who are set to see their protective parliamentary immunity lifted at the request of Belgian prosecutors.
Panzeri's wife, Maria Dolores Colleoni and daughter, Silvia Panzeri have been arrested in Italy at the request of Belgian authorities and are currently fighting against a potential transfer to Belgium.
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