Huawei lobbying investigation leads to searches at EP offices in Strasbourg

According to two officials knowledgeable about the matter who spoke to POLITICO, police authorities conducted searches in two offices belonging to European Parliament (EP) political assistants in Strasbourg.

Police had previously sealed the offices on March 13, the same day authorities raided more than 20 addresses in Belgium and Portugal as part of an investigation into alleged corruption within the EP benefiting Huawei. Officials confirmed on Thursday that these offices were searched.

One of the officials confirmed that the search in Strasbourg was part of the investigation into Huawei’s lobbying activities.

Members of Parliament and their assistants have offices in the institution’s building in Brussels, where regular parliamentary activities take place, and at the official seat in Strasbourg, France, where plenary sessions are held.

Two offices in Brussels were sealed and searched earlier this month and have since been returned to their occupants.

According to judicial documents seen by POLITICO, Belgian prosecutors are investigating whether Huawei made illegal payments to commission an open letter signed by eight European parliamentarians defending the interests of the Chinese tech giant.

The Belgian prosecutor’s office announced that four individuals are accused of corruption and forming a criminal organization, and one person is accused of money laundering.

A parliamentary assistant to Italian center-right MEP Fulvio Martusciello was arrested in Italy on March 20. According to the institution’s press services, the assistant has been suspended by Parliament. It is alleged that Martusciello’s office in 2021 spearheaded the effort to promote the letter under investigation.

A Huawei spokesperson previously stated that the company “has a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other misconduct and is always committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations.”