Key facts
- A European arrest warrant has been issued for former EU Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos.
- The warrant is in connection with the Qatargate cash-for-influence scandal.
- Avramopoulos is alleged to have received money from a criminal network linked to the NGO Fight Impunity.
- Both Qatar and Morocco have denied wrongdoing in relation to the scandal.
- Avramopoulos denies any wrongdoing and states his involvement with the NGO was declared and approved.
Belgian authorities have issued a European arrest warrant for Dimitris Avramopoulos, Greece's former European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, in connection with the Qatargate corruption scandal. The investigation centers on allegations that foreign governments, specifically Qatar and Morocco, sought to influence decision-making in the European Parliament through payments and gifts to current and former lawmakers.
Avramopoulos, who served as commissioner between 2014 and 2019, is alleged by Belgian prosecutors to have received money from what they describe as a criminal network. He was a member of the honorary committee of Fight Impunity, an NGO founded by former MEP Antonio Panzeri, a central figure in the scandal. Avramopoulos stated that his involvement with the NGO was entirely honorary, without executive or managerial responsibilities, and that he received written approval from the European Commission before accepting the position. He claims he received €5,000 per month between February 2021 and February 2022, which were declared and taxed in Greece. He also stated he resigned from the organization and requested his name be removed from its website following the Qatargate revelations.
Both Qatar and Morocco have denied any wrongdoing. The investigation has previously led to the detention of former Greek MEP Eva Kaili. Avramopoulos has not been convicted of any offense, and no final judicial determination has been made regarding the allegations.