Belgian authorities have revoked a European arrest warrant issued for Greek lawmaker and former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos in connection with the Qatargate investigation after he voluntarily appeared before investigators in Brussels.
Qatargate is the name given to a major corruption scandal that erupted in 2022 over allegations that Qatar and other foreign interests sought to influence decision-making in the European Parliament through money and gifts.
The decision effectively ends proceedings in Greece related to executing the warrant, despite the Greek parliament recently approving the lifting of Avramopoulos’ parliamentary immunity. Avramopoulos had supported the lifting of his immunity, maintaining that he did not want his status as a member of parliament to obstruct the investigation.
Avramopoulos, who served as European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship from 2014 to 2019 and is currently an MP with Greece’s ruling New Democracy party, has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the Qatargate affair.
The investigation is linked to Fight Impunity, a Brussels-based NGO that has been at the center of the Belgian investigation.
Avramopoulos traveled voluntarily to Belgium following coordination between his lawyers and the country’s judicial authorities. He appeared before investigators and provided explanations and material that he says demonstrate that he was not involved in illegal activity.
Belgian authorities subsequently withdrew the warrant. With no active European arrest warrant remaining, the related proceedings before Greek judicial authorities have been closed.
Qatargate investigation and Avramopoulos
The warrant had been issued as part of the Belgian investigation into the scandal widely known as Qatargate.
The case drew international attention over allegations concerning attempts to influence decision-making within European institutions and has involved scrutiny of Fight Impunity.
Avramopoulos’ connection to the organization stemmed from his participation in its honorary board. He has maintained that his position was exclusively honorary and advisory and that he held no executive, administrative, financial or management responsibilities within the NGO.
He has also said that before taking the position, he followed the approval procedure required by the European Commission for former commissioners. According to Avramopoulos, payments he received in connection with the role were declared to Greek authorities and taxed.
Greek parliament had lifted his immunity
The withdrawal of the warrant comes shortly after the Greek parliament authorized the lifting of Avramopoulos’ parliamentary immunity so that the judicial process could proceed.
Avramopoulos had agreed with the move and had previously stated that he did not intend to use his position as a lawmaker to avoid judicial scrutiny.
Following the Belgian decision, however, there is no longer an active warrant for Greek authorities to execute. The case file concerning execution of the European arrest warrant has therefore been closed by the Greek judicial authorities.
Avramopoulos denies wrongdoing
Avramopoulos has rejected any suggestion that he participated in unlawful activity connected to Fight Impunity.
In submissions made during the proceedings in Greece, he argued that his relationship with the organization was limited to the honorary board and stressed that he had no role in its operational or financial management.
His voluntary appearance in Belgium allowed him to present his position directly to the authorities conducting the investigation. The subsequent withdrawal of the European arrest warrant means that the separate Greek process concerning its execution has now come to an end.
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