Belgium has issued an EU arrest warrant for former Commissioner Avramopoulos as part of the expanding Qatargate investigation
Belgium has issued an EU arrest warrant for former Commissioner Avramopoulos as part of the expanding Qatargate corruption investigation and related bribery allegations.
A Belgian investigating judge granted the warrant on Monday evening, as confirmed by a Greek government official who supported earlier reports from Belgian and Greek media sources.
Authorities indicate that the warrant is connected to the larger corruption scandal that emerged in 2022, which has subsequently led to numerous investigations within European Union institutions.
Reports indicate that numerous individuals in EU political and administrative circles accepted illegal payments from Qatar in exchange for influencing European Union policy decisions. The case, widely referred to as Qatargate, is regarded as one of the most significant corruption scandals in the history of the 27-member bloc.
Investigators have conducted thorough raids as part of the investigation, recovering around €1.5 million ($1.6 million) in cash. Allegations suggest that investigators discovered some of the money hidden within luggage at a hotel in Brussels.
Avramopoulos has categorically rejected all accusations leveled against him, asserting that he had neither direct nor indirect involvement in any misconduct related to the case.
He expressed that he will not invoke parliamentary immunity and instead plans to fully cooperate with judicial authorities. He also announced intentions to personally appeal to the Greek judiciary, urging for a thorough and transparent investigation that would culminate in a definitive ruling.
The individual who previously held the position of EU Commissioner for Migration until 2019 now serves in the Greek Parliament as a member of the ruling New Democracy party. Following his departure from the European Commission, he subsequently became involved with Fight Impunity, an NGO that has also been referenced in relation to the broader investigation.
The organization Fight Impunity has yet to respond to requests for comment, and the Belgian prosecutor’s office has chosen not to issue a statement.
Qatar has persistently refuted all claims of misconduct associated with the Qatargate corruption case.
