EU lawmaker remains in custody

The woman at the center of the biggest corruption scandal in the history of the European Union — former European Parliament vice-president Eva Kaili — must remain in custody until her next court appearance on Thursday, a Belgian court has said.

The lawmaker from Greece, who was arrested and charged along with three others on Dec 9 by police investigating alleged corruption at the EU, has been held ever since officers searched her home and other locations in Brussels, Belgium and seized 1.5 million euros ($1.59 million) in cash.

An unnamed court official told the Agence France Press news agency 150,000 euros were found in Kaili's flat, 600,000 euros were recovered from her partner's home, and 750,000 euros were recovered from her father's hotel room.

Investigators from Belgium's state security service, VSSE, had reportedly been conducting a secret probe alongside other European agencies for more than a year.

Officers reportedly believe the money came from Qatar, although the Gulf state has strongly denied any involvement.

Belgium's Justice Minister Vincent Van Quickenborne told local media more than one country may have been involved.

Two others charged last week alongside Kaili were also ordered to remain in pre-trial detention, while a fourth was released but told to wear an electronic monitoring device.

Prosecutors have said the unfolding case involves not only corruption but money-laundering and the presence of a criminal organization within the European Parliament.

While police have not named those arrested and charged, Kaili has been stripped of her roles within the European Parliament and her lawyer has confirmed she is facing charges, although strenuously denied any involvement in anything illegal.

Belgian media have named the other people facing charges as Kaili's partner, Francesco Giorgi, and a former member of the European Parliament from Italy, as well as an official.

David McAllister, chairman of the European Parliament's foreign affairs committee, told The Guardian newspaper: "It is just appalling to see that we have an ongoing police investigation regarding corruption, money laundering, and participation in a criminal organization."

The lawmaker from Germany said the situation reminds him of "a bad Netflix series, and it is sad reality".

The Reuters news agency quoted Greece's prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as saying the allegations of EU corruption were "undermining ... democracy at a time when populism prevails".

"I hope this affair will be resolved quickly," he said while noting the scandal "undermines the prestige of Europe".

Police, meanwhile, released photos on Wednesday of money they seized stuff ed into a suitcase, boxes, and bags.

Belgian newspaper Le Soir said officers also seized "valuables" in addition to money from Kaili's home.

Police raids last week also took place at the homes and offices of other politicians, lobbyists, and parliamentary assistants and several EU offices remain sealed pending police searches.