Corruption scandal in the ground

The European Commission (EC) announced that it conducted disciplinary proceedings against a high -ranking EU official – Estnian Henrik Hololia, former general director of the “Transport” management. The reason is suspected of corrupt relationships with Qatar, reported AFP, reports News.bg.

“On March 21, the responsible authorities decided to initiate disciplinary proceedings that are currently underway.

According to him, the public prosecutor's office of the European prosecutors has not yet informed the Commission about the investigation she introduced.

According to publications in European media, Hololej visited, while he was head of the “transport directorate”, the Doha several times between 2015 and 2021 – supposedly at the expense of the Qatar. Some of the visits were accompanied by his family and included entertainment activities that represent a violation of the rules for conflicts of interest, transparency, acceptance of gifts and disclosure of documents.

Le Figaro recalls that Hololej negotiated the “Open Heaven” agreement during this time, which gives Qatar Airways greater access to airspace and the markets of the European Union. In November last year, the public prosecutor's public prosecutor's public prosecutor announced that the deal investigate.

At the same time, the EC initiated an internal examination. After hearing Hololei, the Commission decided on March 21 to switch from the pre -disciplinary to the disciplinary phase. If the suspicion is confirmed, the official can be subject to serious sanctions, including discharge.

After the first revelations, Hololei, 55, left his post as general director in 2023 and took a lower position in the EC – a political consultant that he currently has.

Le Figaro notes that this case has been expanded to include the existing scandal, which is known as the “Catargate”, in relation to allegations of corruption in the European Parliament, in which Qatar and Morocco are involved in the end of 2022 with regard to accusations of corruption.