Brussels, Belgium. A Belgian investigating judge has issued a European arrest warrant for former Greek European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, according to a Greek government official who confirmed Belgian and Greek media reports late on Monday. The warrant is linked to the corruption scandal known as Qatargate.
Qatargate investigation
The case emerged in 2022 and involves allegations that several European Union officials accepted bribes from Qatar to influence EU policymaking. Qatargate is considered one of the biggest scandals to affect the 27-member bloc.
Raids and seized cash
Investigators carried out raids during the inquiry and seized 1.5 million euros ($1.6 million) in cash. Some of the money was found stuffed into a large suitcase in a Brussels hotel.
Avramopoulos response
In a statement on Monday, Avramopoulos denied any wrongdoing. He said there was no direct or indirect involvement by him in anything reprehensible.
He also said he would not make use of any parliamentary immunity. He said he would instead appeal to the Greek judiciary himself and request that the matter be fully investigated and a decision be made.
Political and organizational links
Avramopoulos is a member of the Greek Parliament for the ruling conservative New Democracy party. He served as European Commissioner for Migration until 2019 and later joined Fight Impunity, a nongovernmental organization linked to Qatargate.
Responses from other parties
Fight Impunity could not be reached for comment, while the Belgian prosecutor’s office declined to comment. Qatar has always denied any wrongdoing.