Greek parliament lifts Avramopoulos immunity in Qatargate investigation

Athens, Greece. Greece’s parliament on Thursday lifted the immunity of former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, allowing authorities to take further action in the Qatargate corruption investigation.

Avramopoulos, a lawmaker with the ruling New Democracy party, has denied wrongdoing or links to the case. Qatar has also repeatedly denied wrongdoing.

Belgian warrant

A Belgian investigating judge issued a European arrest warrant for Avramopoulos in June, according to a Greek government document seen by Reuters.

The warrant concerns allegations of participation in a criminal group, public corruption and money laundering. Until Thursday’s vote, Avramopoulos was protected from arrest and prosecution by parliamentary immunity.

Greek media reported on Thursday that Avramopoulos planned to appear voluntarily before Belgian authorities. The Belgian prosecutor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Qatargate case

The Qatargate case emerged in 2022 and involves allegations that Qatar paid cash or made payments through non-profit organisations to influence European Union policymaking.

Belgian authorities have said they seized about €1.5 million ($1.72 million) in cash during raids linked to the wider investigation, including money found in a large suitcase at a Brussels hotel.

Avramopoulos’ roles

Avramopoulos, 73, is a former mayor of Athens and served as European Commissioner for Migration from 2014 to 2019.

From 2020 to 2021, he worked as an honorary board member of Fight Impunity, a non-governmental organisation linked to the case, according to the Greek government document.