BRUSSELS - Belgian prosecutors said on Thursday several individuals had been arrested for questioning in connection with their alleged involvement in active corruption within the European Parliament.

The prosecutors said 21 searches were carried out by the Federal Police in the Brussels region, as well as in Flanders, Wallonia and in Portugal.

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Prosecutors did not disclose names and functions of the people involved and were not available for further comment.

Corruption, forgery and use of false documents is believed to have taken place regularly and "very discreetly" from 2021 to the present day, the prosecutors said.

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It happened "under the guise of commercial lobbying and taking various forms, such as remuneration for taking political positions or excessive gifts such as food and travel expenses or regular invitations to football matches," they added.

The prosecutors said several documents and objects had been seized, with the aim to also detect any evidence of money laundering.