Pier Antonio Panzeri, the former left-wing MEP at the center of the scandal in the European Parliament, will be released from prison. Laurent Kennes, his lawyer, confirmed this to RTBF. Panzeri had been incarcerated for almost four months, during which time he had reportedly suffered from eye problems and depression. Kennes explained that the situation was extremely difficult for his client, who had not been in contact with his family, as they lived in Italy, and who struggled with communication as he did not speak French. He will not be fully released, but will instead be transferred to an apartment in Schaerbeek, where he will remain under house arrest with an electronic bracelet. Kennes clarified that this decision was not solely the result of his client’s cooperation, but rather due to a combination of factors. Meanwhile, Panzeri’s friend and accomplice, Francesco Giorgi, remains under house arrest in Ixelles.
We announced it in our editions of this Thursday and it was verified. Pier Antonio Panzeri, the one through whom the scandal in the European Parliament happened, will be released from prison. It was his lawyer, Laurent Kennes, who confirmed this first to our colleagues at RTBF.
Incarcerated since December 9, 2022, almost four months ago, the Milanese could hardly bear his conditions of detention. Both physically and mentally. We had learned in particular that the former left-wing MEP suffered from eye problems and was in depression.
“He remains detained”
Responding to RTBF, his lawyer explains that he had access to the press and that he had trouble seeing his life go to shreds in this way. “Mr. Panzeri’s prison situation was extremely difficult. As his wife and daughter live in Italy, he has had no contact with his relatives,” he explains.
Moreover, Panzeri does not speak French. This is what had pushed him to sympathize with Marc Tarabella, with whom he shared at least one passion: that of supporting Inter Milan. “Asking a guard for something that is part of everyday life was sometimes very complicated,” continues Me Kennes, who is delighted to learn of the decision of the Council Chamber. So she agreed to let her client out.
The lawyer immediately clarifies that this is not a release. Pier Antonio Panzeri remains detained. Just like his accomplice and friend, Francesco Giorgi. Eva Kaili’s companion is still under house arrest in his apartment in Ixelles, since he left the same prison in Saint-Gilles. “The electronic bracelet is a deprivation of liberty equivalent to prison, except that he is locked up at his home 24 hours a day. Not at his home in Italy, Belgian law does not allow it, but in an apartment where he resides in Belgium”.
This apartment is located close to the Reyers tower, in Schaerbeek. His wife arrived from Italy will take care of him. It is she who, for example, will do the shopping. Panzeri is not allowed to go out, not even to take a thirty-minute walk, underlines Laurent Kennes, still at RTBF. “He can just ask to have outings for urgent measures or exceptional reasons”.
Does he derive this favor (Editor’s note: release from prison) from the fact that he has agreed to play the role of repentant? Certainly even if his lawyer moderates: “It is above all linked to the fact that he collaborates and that he has expressed himself”.
“She would have slapped him”
Meanwhile, Eva Kaili and Marc Tarabella are chomping at the bit in prison. They camp on their position by affirming that they are straight in their boots.
We also learn that Panzeri was questioned three times under the status of repentant. And he persists in saying that Marc Tarabella did receive between 120,000 and 140,000 euros to soften his speech on Qatar. “It’s not just my client who accuses Mr. Tarabella,” argues Me Kennes.
And when our colleague from RTBF talks to him about Marie Arena, he explains that his client would never have dared to offer him what he did in Tarabella. “She would have slapped him,” he replies.
In conclusion, Pier Antonio Panzeri’s release from prison is a significant development in the scandal that rocked the European Parliament. While he remains under electronic surveillance, his lawyer’s announcement has given some relief to the Milanese, who reportedly suffered greatly during his detention. Meanwhile, his former colleagues, Eva Kaili and Marc Tarabella, continue to deny their involvement in corruption. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, but for now, Panzeri’s release serves as a reminder that justice must be served, and those who have committed wrongdoing will be held accountable.