The European Parliament voted in a plenary session on Thursday to suspend the immunity of Belgian MEP Marc Tarabella and Italian MEP Andrea Cozzolino, both of whom are suspected of involvement in the Qatargate corruption scandal.

The vote comes after the Parliament’s Committee on Legal Affairs unanimously recommended on Tuesday to suspend the immunity of both MEPs, following a formal request to the European Parliament by the Belgian authorities on 2 January.

Both Tarabella and Cozzolino had previously indicated that they were willing to have their immunity lifted. Each is alleged to have accepted bribes and other favours from the Qatari and Moroccan Governments in exchange for supporting pro-Qatari and pro-Moroccan policies.