the Belgian MP used free flights and stayed in a luxury hotel as a guest of the Qatari government, which she later failed to properly disclose.
MEP Maria Arena's resignation follows the arrest of Eva Kelly, the deputy speaker of Parliament, after police seized $1.6 million from her home in a raid allegedly aimed at gaining influence in Qatar. It was given as a bribe.
"I declare unequivocally that I am in no way involved in this matter and I resign from my post until the truth comes out," Maria Arena said in the statement.
However, MP Maria Arena admitted that the administrative rules had been violated, for which she blamed her assistant.
If convicted of corruption, Maria Arena will have to pay a fine of 10,140 euros or be banned from her post in the European Parliament for one year.
European Parliament Vice President Eva Kelly and her husband, who works as a parliamentary assistant, and others have been accused of corruption.
The Belgian authorities have also requested the removal of the immunity of two MPs Mark Tarabella and Andrea Kozulina.
On Thursday, European Parliament President Roberta Metsula announced stricter rules for members to officially disclose meetings with political or non-political groups.
In addition, MPs will be temporarily banned from working with lobbying firms, and rules on gifts and visits have been tightened.
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