Belgian Agents ‘Bugged Football Stadium’ To Spy On Huawei’s MEP Lobbying Attempts

Belgian security agents bugged a corporate box at RSC Anderlecht’s stadium that was allegedly being used by Huawai to schmooze MEPs, Politico has reported.

According to the report, the surveillance operations also involved listening in to conversations involving a leading Huawei lobbyist, including in his car.

These operations contributed to a decision by the Belgian prosecutor’s decision to request that a group of MEPs, including Malta’s Daniel Attard, have their immunity lifted so they could be investigated.

Anderlecht confirmed that Huawei acquired a private box in their stadium for the 2024/25 season for about €50,000. Belgian police are investigating whether this was part of a scheme by Huawei lobbyists to get closer to MEPs and advance their company’s position in EU policymaking.

Attard confirmed that that he had attended a match between Anderlecht and Hungarian football club Ferencváros last September.

He said he was invited to the game by his Hungarian parliamentary game and had no idea that the original invitation originated from Huawei or that he would be seated in a corporate box.

Attard acknowledged that an individual present in the box intended to speak to him about Huawei during the game, but said he had no prior contact with this person.