The European Commission dismissed one of its senior officials, Henrik Hololei. An internal investigation showed that he had violated applicable regulations. Three officials informed POLITICO journalists about the decision.
“I am disappointed, but I accept the Commission's decision and I am glad that this long process is finally over,” Hololei told POLITICO on Thursday.
As part of access to public information, POLITICO determined that in the years 2015–2021 Hololei has flown complimentary business class nine times with Qatar Airways. Six of these free flights took place during the development of the European Market Access Agreement, and four of them were paid for by the Qatari government or a Qatari-linked group.
Hololei was previously a high-ranking officer transport official at the European Commissionand most recently an advisor in the Directorate-General for International Partnerships.
The aviation agreement granted Qatar-based airlines, including Qatar Airways, landing rights to most EU destinations. This gave the carrier lucrative access to a market of 450 million consumers. In return, EU airlines obtained rights to the Qatari market of 3 million consumers, but with access to the airline hub in Doha, which is strategically located between major European and Asian cities.
Qatargate – a scandal that seriously damaged the EU's reputation
POLITICO's journalistic investigation from almost three years ago followed reports that Qatar and Morocco allegedly paid MEPs large sums of money to get them to represent their interests in the European Parliament. These claims seriously damaged the reputation of the Union and the credibility of the EU institutions.
The law enforcement investigation included senior officials in Brussels, including current and former MEPs and their staffand during police raids, 1.5 million euros (approx. 6.3 million) in cash were found.
Qatar Airways plane. Illustrative photoMiguel Lagoa / Shutterstock
In 2024, the French newspaper “Liberation” wrote that Hololei allegedly exchanged confidential information regarding the EU's aviation agreement with Qatar in exchange for gifts, including a stay at a five-star hotel in Dohafor yourself and your immediate surroundings.
“He violated applicable regulations”
According to a confidential document obtained by POLITICO last year, the investigation concerned potential breaches of four articles of the Staff Regulations: on conflict of interest, transparency, accepting gifts and disclosing documents without authorization.
The charges were based on confidential findings from an investigation by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), launched in 2023 following POLITICO reporting. — Based on the findings of the OLAF investigation and the disciplinary procedure, the College of Commissioners decided to remove a senior official from office a Commission official familiar with the matter told us.
— The European Commission has concluded disciplinary proceedings against a high-ranking official, Henna Virkkunen, executive vice-president of the Commission, told journalists on Thursday, without giving his name.
Conference of Henny Virkkunen, Vice-President of the European Commission. Brussels, 29 January 2025PAP/EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET
— During this procedure, it was determined that this employee had violated applicable regulations, she added. The College of Commissioners “decided to take action against this high-ranking official appropriate and proportionate measures“.
Three Commission officials familiar with the investigation told POLITICO that the vice president was referring to Hololeia. His dismissal was confirmed by two of them and a fourth official. They all spoke on condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the matter.
