Huawei suspected of bribing Members of the European Parliament — Belgian prosecutors launch investigation

Belgium’s prosecution service has launched an investigation into the Chinese tech giant Huawei over allegations that it paid eight Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to publish an open letter in support of the company in 2021.

This was reported by Politico Europe, citing court documents.

In February 2021, three EU Commissioners received a letter from eight MEPs stating that geopolitical tensions between the EU and China should not hinder the development of 5G networks within the bloc. This letter — referred to in court documents as the “5G letter” — is now considered a key piece of evidence in an alleged lobbying effort by the Chinese corporation, even though Huawei is not mentioned directly in the letter.

The court documents claim that “the author of the letter was offered €15,000, and each of the signatories €1,500.” The arrangement was allegedly “approved by Huawei’s Chinese leadership, in particular the director of the Brussels office,” according to case materials.

All MEPs who signed the letter deny the accusations.

Belgian authorities are now examining potential links between this case and the so-called “Qatargate” scandal — a 2022 corruption case in which lawmakers were accused of receiving bribes from Qatar to influence EU policy. According to Politico, Belgian investigators suspect the existence of a broader system of improper pressure by foreign governments or corporations seeking to influence decisions in Brussels.

Huawei has strongly denied any involvement in illegal activities, stating that it fully complies with laws and regulations in all countries where it operates.

“We have a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and uphold the highest ethical standards,” a company spokesperson said.

Despite Huawei’s denials, the investigation could have serious implications for its future in Europe. Some governments — including Belgium — are already considering excluding Huawei from their telecom infrastructure, following the lead of the U.S., the U.K., and Germany, which have imposed strict limits on the company’s role in 5G networks.

Investigators are now working to determine whether other MEPs or EU officials received payments or benefits in exchange for supporting Huawei. The probe may expand to other EU member states and Chinese companies operating in Europe.

The European Commission and the European Parliament have yet to issue official statements, but pressure is growing in Brussels to tighten transparency rules and crack down on foreign influence.

According to Politico, further details and potential political fallout from what appears to be one of the most serious foreign-influence scandals in EU institutions may emerge in the coming months.