European Parliament Removes Italian MEP’s Immunity in Huawei Scandal
European Parliament lifts immunity of Italian – The European Parliament has taken a decisive action by revoking the immunity of Italian MEP Fulvio Martusciello, who is at the center of a corruption investigation involving Huawei. This decision, announced on Tuesday, marks the first instance where an EPP member has lost legal protection in the context of Huawei’s alleged influence on EU decision-making. Martusciello, linked to a network of MEPs accused of accepting bribes, faces potential charges related to his role in a 2021 letter that urged the EU Commission to avoid banning foreign 5G devices. The move allows Belgian prosecutors to pursue legal action against him, highlighting the broader scrutiny of Huawei’s lobbying tactics within European institutions.
Immunity Vote and Legal Implications
On Tuesday, the European Parliament conducted a secret-ballot vote to strip Martusciello of his immunity, securing a majority of 344 MEPs in favor of the removal. Just 234 MEPs opposed the decision, with 25 abstaining. This action suspends the traditional shield of immunity for serving members, enabling Belgian authorities to proceed with their investigation. The immunity report, led by Polish MEP Dominik Tarczyński, details how Martusciello’s amendments to a competition policy resolution in early 2021 were allegedly crafted to align with Huawei’s strategic interests. These changes, made during the drafting phase of the EU’s 5G strategy, are pivotal in the prosecutors’ case against him.
Allegations of Corruption and Influence
Belgian investigators allege that Huawei has established a corrupt network to sway EU policies in its favor. Central to this case is Valerio Ottati, a key Huawei lobbyist believed to have recruited MEPs through financial incentives and strategic meetings. Martusciello is said to have played a critical role in this campaign, allegedly influenced by both monetary rewards and social pressures to support Huawei’s expansion. The 2021 letter, signed by eight MEPs, is under scrutiny as a potential tool to soften the EU’s stance on 5G security risks. Prosecutors argue that the letter’s phrasing was strategically designed to indirectly benefit Huawei’s lobbying efforts.
“I have never received either promises or pressure to sign the letter,” Martusciello stated in a prior Euronews interview. “I may have seen Valerio Ottati in my life, but he constantly invited MEPs to events, including high-level gatherings with ministers and authorities. I never attended any of them, nor did anyone from my delegation.”
Escalating Huawei Investigation
The Huawei corruption probe has intensified since March 2025, when Belgian police conducted raids at the company’s Brussels headquarters and the European Parliament’s premises. These operations uncovered evidence of bribes aimed at influencing EU policies on 5G infrastructure, leading to the charging of five individuals, including several MEPs. The immunity waiver process, initiated in May, targeted five members, but three were retained due to insufficient proof of their direct ties to Huawei. The removal of Martusciello’s immunity now places him in a more vulnerable position within the ongoing legal inquiry.
Policy Amendments and Huawei Alignment
The prosecutors have tied Martusciello’s policy amendments to the 2021 letter, suggesting a coordinated effort to weaken EU regulations on foreign 5G technology. The letter, which called for a balanced approach to security concerns, was reportedly crafted with Huawei’s interests in mind. Martusciello’s amendments, introduced during the same period, are seen as a strategic move to bolster the company’s position in the EU’s critical infrastructure. This alignment has raised questions about the transparency of decision-making processes and the role of external actors in shaping European policy.
Internal Dynamics of the EPP Delegation
Martusciello’s office is alleged to have actively engaged with EPP colleagues to gain broader support for the 2021 letter. An EU Parliament official confirmed to Euronews that Martusciello was the primary author of the document and that his team worked to consolidate backing from other members. This reflects the internal pressures within the EPP delegation, where individual MEPs may have been swayed by external lobbying efforts. The removal of Martusciello’s immunity underscores the growing scrutiny of political influence and the EU’s commitment to accountability in its decision-making processes.
