Huaweigate: European Parliament lifts immunity of Martusciello
The European Parliament's JURI committee has voted to lift the immunity of Italian MEP Fulvio Martusciello as part of the Belgian investigation into the Huawei scandal. His party colleague De Meo has been spared.
Huaweigate: European Parliament lifts immunity of Martusciello
The European Parliament's Legal Affairs Committee (JURI) has voted in favour of lifting the immunity of Fulvio Martusciello, Forza Italia's leading MEP in Strasbourg. The decision was made at the request of the Belgian federal prosecutor's office, which is investigating the so-called Huaweigate affair.
The internal vote resulted in 14 votes in favour and 11 against. His party colleague Salvatore De Meo, meanwhile, saw a similar request rejected: 18 votes against lifting immunity and 7 in favour.
The measure is not yet final. The Strasbourg plenary assembly must now make a final ruling, although the chamber rarely reverses the orientation of the competent committee.
Martusciello responded by stating that he trusts the plenary and reaffirming his total estrangement from the facts he is accused of. He also expressed his satisfaction with the support he received from his party.
The investigation, which came to light in March 2025 with raids in Belgium, Portugal and other member states, concerns alleged illegal lobbying activities attributed to the Chinese telecoms giant. According to the accusation, Huawei attempted to influence the decisions of EU institutions through a network of consultants, lobbyists and intermediaries. Investigators believe that various types of advantages—invitations to sporting events, trips, hospitality—were offered to further the company's interests.
In the specific aspect concerning the two Italian parliamentarians, the Belgian judiciary wishes to examine more closely the role played by certain aides close to Martusciello in relations between the Chinese group and Parliament. For De Meo, the investigators' focus is on certain contacts and parliamentary initiatives that could be linked to the contested influence activities.
Neither of the two is formally under investigation. The immunity waiver request is solely intended to permit further investigations, circumventing the protections provided for under the status of MEP.
Source: Il Fatto Quotidiano - Cronaca