The Belgian police have arrested one of the key players in the major corruption scandal engulfing the European Parliament, Politico reported based on Flemish press information.

The charges have not yet been named, and Tarabella himself has not yet appeared with his defence lawyer before the judge hearing his case. The Belgian judiciary likely suspect Tarabella of corruption, running a criminal organisation and money laundering, the Hungarian daily Magyar Nemzet writes referring to the article by Politico. In addition to the detention, the authorities searched Tarabella’s safe deposit box in Liege, Belgium, as well as his offices in Anthisnes, in the Walloon Region. Interestingly, Tarabella is still the mayor of the Waloon town.

Another key suspect who is still at large in the corruption case is MEP Andrea Cozzolino. The authorities have not put out a statement on him yet, so it is still unknown whether they are planning any measures against him.

The European Parliament refuses to comment on the developments, saying that they do not make statements on ongoing judicial procedures.

Former EP vice-president, the Socialist Eva Kaili, her partner Francesco Giorgi and former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri remain in prison during the investigation.