Brussels, 11 February 2023 (dpa/MIA) - The investigations into the European Parliament's corruption scandal netted two additional arrests, a spokesperson for the public prosecutor's office in Brussels confirmed to dpa on Saturday.

Belgian Social Democrat Marc Tarabella, 59, was arrested on corruption, money laundering and membership in a criminal organization charges on Friday, the office said.

Italian EU Parliament member Andrea Cozzolino was also arrested on bribery charges Friday in connection with the investigation. Italian police arrested Cozzolino after he sought treatment at a Naples hospital, according to several Italian media reports.

Both men maintain their innocence.

The scandal emerged in December, when then-vice-president of the European Parliament Eva Kaili, former EU lawmaker Pier Antonio Panzeri and two other suspects were arrested on suspicion of participation in a criminal organization, money laundering and corruption.

They are accused of having influenced parliamentary decisions in favour of football World Cup host Qatar, and Morocco, in return for money and gifts.

Tarabella, who is also mayor of the Belgian city of Anthisnes, is incriminated among others by Panzeri, the alleged mastermind in the corruption scandal.

Panzeri had signed an agreement with the public prosecutor's office in January in which he agreed to contribute fully to the investigation in exchange for less prison time and a fine. In addition, all his acquired assets are to be confiscated, currently estimated at one million euros.

Panzeri testified that he gave Tarabella more than €120,000 ($128,370) in cash in several instalments for his help in connection with Qatar.