The European Parliament called for tighter anti-corruption measures on Wednesday and for an investigation into reports that Azerbaijan paid off EU decision-makers who spoke favorably about the country’s dismal human rights record.
In a resolution that was overwhelmingly approved, the parliamentarians condemned “attempts by Azerbaijan and other autocratic regimes in third countries to influence European decision-makers through illicit means.” The claims stem from leaked documents received by Berlingske, a Danish newspaper and shared with OCCRP and other partners.
The “Azerbaijani Laundromat” investigation uncovered that Azerbaijan’s elite was buying silence and praise from influential European figures while simultaneously throwing some 90 activists, journalists and opposition politicians into prison on politically motivated charges.
Source: OCCRP.org