Luca Visentini, an Italian trade unionist involved in an investigation into corruption in the European Parliament (EP), was fired on Saturday from his post as general secretary of the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC), the organization announced this Sunday in a press release.
“[O Conselho Geral da CSI-ITUC] decided that Luca Visentini no longer trusted [da organização] as general secretary,” the document said, stating that an extraordinary World Congress would be held shortly to elect a new leader.
“The events of recent months have done significant damage to CSI’s reputation. Important lessons have been learned. […] We are determined to protect CSI from any form of undue influence, even perceived influence,” commented Akiko Gono, president of the organization.
However, the CSI, which brings together 338 trade unions in 168 countries and territories around the world, guarantees that it “found no evidence” of donations by Qatar or Morocco “to influence its policies or programs.”
Luca Visentini was arrested in December 2022 in a Belgian investigation into allegations of MEP corruption involving Qatar and Morocco, but was ultimately released two days later, although he has to make regular court appearances.
In late December, the 54-year-old Italian trade unionist admitted that he had received a cash payment – “a donation of less than 50,000 euros” – from the non-governmental organization Fighting Impunity, led by compatriot former MP Pier Antonio Panzeri. , considered the only one of the main suspects in the case.
However, Visentini assured that the donation was not related to any attempt at corruption or influence peddling on behalf of Qatar, stressing that the money was intended to cover some of the costs associated with the campaign to seize the leadership of the CSI.
Visentini was elected head of the organization in November and was removed from office by the CSI’s governing body on 21 December.
On Saturday, the CSI said it was considering adding “possible changes to the confederation’s leadership campaign funding” to its charter.
Three people are currently in preventive detention in Belgium as part of an investigation launched by the Belgian courts on suspicion of interference by Qatar and Morocco in the positions taken by the European Parliament, through cash payments that went through Pierre Antonio Panzeri.
On December 9, during the first wave of arrests and searches in Brussels, investigators seized 1.5 million euros in cash.
Over the past three months, Qatar and Morocco have vehemently denied involvement in any act of corruption.