Lawyer Sylvia Panzeri resists deportation to Belgium over EU corruption scandal

ITALIAN lawyer Silvia Panzeri is appealing against a court's decision to deport her to Belgium to face charges linked to the spiralling European Parliament corruption scandal. Ms Panzeri is the daughter of former MEP Antonio Panzeri, one of five MEPs and a number of others -- including European Parliament vice-president Eva Kaili -- who face accusations of taking bribes to push the interests of Qatar and Morocco in the EU's legislature. Her mother Maria Dolores Colleoni also awaits deportation.

They are accused of helping manage the gifts allegedly provided by Qatar and Morocco. Qatar denies involvement and Morocco has declined to comment. Police raids on houses in Belgium, Italy and Greece found EUR1.5 million (GBP1.3m) in cash, including EUR150,000 in Ms Kaili's flat.

Her father was seized as he tried to leave Brussels's Sofitel hotel with a suitcase stuffed with banknotes.

MEPs have suspended work on Qatar-related issues and promised an overhaul of EU lobbying rules in response to the scandal.