Corruption probe: Prosecutors indict European Huawei chief
A key Huawei executive in Europe is among the suspects in the Belgian investigation into corruption in the EU Parliament in favor of the tech company.
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In the ongoing Belgian corruption investigation against Huawei lobbyists on the one hand and MEPs and their staff on the other, the public prosecutor's office has named one of the highest-ranking Huawei managers in Europe as one of the suspects. The senior executive had himself represented before a Belgian court on Tuesday, reports the Politico portal with reference to hearing documents. Yong J., the vice president of the Chinese tech group responsible for the European region, is accused by the authorities of "active bribery of a public official, criminal association and money laundering".
The suspect is said to have previously worked as Huawei's chief lobbyist for the EU and headed the equipment manufacturer's public affairs office in Brussels. According to Politico, the court hearing on Tuesday took place behind closed doors. It is said to have been part of proceedings in which the defense lawyers discussed procedural issues, such as potential detention decisions, with the presiding judges. Neither Yong J. nor his lawyers or Huawei made any comments to the magazine. The presumption of innocence applies.
Charges brought against eight people
Belgian prosecutors in the case are investigating whether illegal payments were made by Huawei to obtain political support for an open letter, according to an arrest warrant. The appeal, signed by eight MEPs, stated that geopolitical tensions should not hinder the development of 5G and the deployment of foreign technology in Europe. The Belgian public prosecutor's office announced on Friday that it had brought charges against eight people. The move follows a series of raids by police forces in Belgium and Portugal.
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Huawei has dismissed two employees and suspended a third, a company spokesperson said on Monday. They are said to have been involved in the case. It is unclear whether the accused Huawei officials are among them. On the parliamentary side, an ex-advisor to Forza Italia MP Fulvio Martusciello is said to have arranged payments by invoice "in return for alleged consulting services and election campaign costs amounting to 18,450 and 27,500 euros" in connection with the open letter. According to its own statement, Huawei pursues a "zero-tolerance policy towards corruption or other misconduct". According to an earlier statement, the company has pledged to "comply with all applicable laws and regulations at all times" and to cooperate with the authorities.
(vbr)
