Belgian Authorities Trace New Qatari Wire Transfers to Former EU Officials

According to investigative reporting by EU Observer, the Belgian judiciary has uncovered fresh evidence in the ongoing 'Qatargate' corruption scandal, linking new wire transfers from Qatari-linked entities to the bank accounts of several former European Parliament officials. The report claims that these payments, totaling over €2.5 million, were made as recently as early 2026, long after the initial scandal broke in December 2022. As reported by EU Observer, investigators believe the funds were intended to influence EU policy regarding liquefied natural gas (LNG) contracts and to soften the bloc's stance on Qatar's human rights record. The allegations suggest that Qatar used a network of non-governmental organizations and shell companies based in the Gulf to bypass EU transparency registers. According to the findings, the Belgian authorities have issued new international arrest warrants for three individuals suspected of acting as intermediaries for the Qatari state. The report asserts that the Qatari government continues to deny any involvement, yet the banking records obtained by investigators show a direct trail to accounts controlled by senior Qatari diplomats. EU Observer reports that the discovery of these new payments has sent shockwaves through Brussels, prompting calls for a complete overhaul of the EU’s ethics rules. The article alleges that the scale of the bribery operation was much larger than previously thought, involving not just MEPs but also senior staff members in the European Commission. The investigation continues to probe how these payments might have influenced specific votes on trade and environmental regulations involving Qatari interests.