The probe focuses on accusations that foreign states attempted to sway decisions within the European Parliament by offering payments and gifts to current and former legislators.
The judiciary in Belgium has issued an arrest warrant against former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos as part of an ongoing inquiry into the so-called «Qatargate» case.
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This investigation revolves around claims that Qatar and Morocco attempted to influence policymaking in the European Parliament through monetary payments and gifts directed at both serving and former lawmakers. Both nations have refuted any allegations of misconduct.
Belgian officials are requesting the removal of Avramopoulos’ immunity to enable his questioning in connection with the investigation.
Between 2014 and 2019, Avramopoulos held the position of EU Commissioner for migration, home affairs, and citizenship under Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker. Currently, he is a member of the Hellenic Parliament representing the conservative party New Democracy.
He also previously sat on the honorary committee of Fight Impunity, an NGO established by former MEP Antonio Panzeri, who is a key figure in the Qatargate corruption probe. The inquiry has also resulted in the detention of former Greek MEP Eva Kaili.
Belgian prosecutors allege that Avramopoulos received funds from what they call a «criminal network.» The ex-commissioner rejects these claims, affirming that all payments from the NGO were duly declared in his official asset statements and reported to Greek tax authorities.
Belgian authorities have made their Greek counterparts aware of the situation. According to the established procedure, the case will proceed from the Athens Court of Appeal Prosecutor’s Office to the Supreme Court Prosecutor’s Office and then, via the Ministry of Justice, to the Greek Parliament.
Avramopoulos maintained that his NGO role was purely ‘honorary’
In a written declaration released on 19 December 2022, the former commissioner stated that his role with Fight Impunity involved «no executive or managerial duties whatsoever.»
He explained that the committee on which he served, alongside notable figures such as former EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, ex-French prime minister Bernard Cazeneuve, and Italian senator Emma Bonino, held merely honorary status.
Avramopoulos also noted that he requested and obtained written consent from the European Commission prior to accepting the position. Furthermore, the Commission’s Independent Ethical Committee rendered a favorable opinion on his participation on 10 December 2020.
At that time, Avramopoulos had recently concluded his commissioner term and was subject to the Commission’s post-mandate ethics regulations.
According to him, he received €5,000 monthly from February 2021 to February 2022. He stated that these payments were reported and taxed in Greece in compliance with national laws.
He indicated that he asked for the cessation of payments in February 2022 due to a reduction in the organisation’s activities, with his involvement essentially ending the subsequent month.
Following the disclosures, Avramopoulos declared that he promptly resigned from the organisation and requested the removal of his name from its website.
Later, Panzeri agreed to cooperate with Belgian prosecutors as part of this investigation.
Belgian authorities aim to interview Avramopoulos within the broader corruption inquiry. So far, Avramopoulos has not been found guilty of any crime, and no definitive judicial verdict has been reached concerning the allegations.