Belgian prosecutors are investigating whether Chinese giant Huawei made illegal payments for writing an open letter that benefited the company, signed by eight MEPs, including three Romanian parliamentarians.
The investigation has led to searches in the European Parliament, in both its offices in Strasbourg and Brussels, and several individuals have been charged.
Belgian police searched two offices belonging to political assistants in the European Parliament in Strasbourg as part of a wide-ranging investigation into Huawei’s lobbying practices, Politico reports, citing internal sources.
This operation is part of a corruption investigation that led, on March 13, 2025, to more than 20 raids in Belgium and Portugal. Prosecutors suspect that Huawei illegally financed the writing of an open letter, signed by eight European parliamentarians, defending the interests of the company.
Among the MEPs who signed the letter are three Romanians: Cristian Bușoi (PNL), Daniel Buda (PNL), and Tudor Ciuhodaru (PSD).
The letter was sent in February 2021 to three European Commissioners, warning that geopolitical tensions should not hinder the development of 5G technology in Europe. Although Huawei is not explicitly mentioned, the document is interpreted as indirect support for the Chinese company, as several EU member states were taking measures to limit the use of Chinese equipment in telecommunications, citing risks of espionage and economic dependency on Beijing.
The description of the Belgian investigation, provided by the investigating judge in charge of the case, states: “A sum of 15,000 EUR was offered to the writer of the 5G letter, while each co-signatory was offered 1,500 EUR.”
“This transaction or proposal of transaction would have been approved by Chinese directors of HUAWEI, especially by … [the director] of the Brussels office,” the document further states, with the director only being identified as Abraham L.
Four individuals have already been charged with corruption and organized crime, and one with money laundering, according to Belgian prosecutors. The investigation is ongoing.
Details, HERE.