Qatargate: Cozzolino extradition hearing postponed

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 14 - A Naples court on Tuesday upheld a petition by lawyers representing Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino to put off a hearing on a request for his extradition to Belgium over his alleged involvement in the so-called Qatargate bribery scandal.
    The court adjourned proceedings until February 28 to give time for a check on the Belgian prison Cozzolino would go to.
    Cozzolino is under house arrest in Naples after the European Parliament waived his immunity and that of Belgian MEPs Marc Tarabella over the case of alleged attempts by Qatar and Morocco to influence EU affairs via bribery.
    Cozzolino, who has been suspended by Italy's centre-left Democratic Party (PD) and suspended himself from the Socialist (S&D) caucus in the European Parliament, denies any wrongdoing.
    Greek MEP Eva Kaili, who was removed from her position as European Parliament vice president after the scandal exploded and has been in jail since December 9, has been charged too in relation to the case, along with her Italian partner Francesco Giorgi, Cozzolino's assistant.
    Former Italian MEP Antonio Panzeri, a central figure in the 'Qatargate' corruption scandal, has started to cooperating with Belgian prosecutors after reaching a plea bargain for a one-year jail term.
    Another Italian under investigation over the case, Niccolo' Figa'-Talamanca, the secretary general of the No Peace Without Justice NGO, has been released from prison. (ANSA).