Belgian authorities issue European arrest warrant for Dimitris Avramopoulos in Qatargate inquiry

Belgian judicial authorities have issued a European arrest warrant for former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos regarding his alleged involvement in the Qatargate corruption scandal. The warrant was transmitted to the Greek Ministry of Justice and is currently being forwarded to the Hellenic Parliament to initiate the lifting of his parliamentary immunity. Investigators are examining approximately 73,000 euros in payments made to Avramopoulos by the NGO Fight Impunity, founded by former MEP Antonio Panzeri, who is central to the investigation. Belgian authorities contend these funds originated from an illicit network, while Avramopoulos claims the payments were legal, declared in his financial disclosure, and approved by the European Commission. Avramopoulos, currently a member of the Greek Parliament, has denied any wrongdoing and stated he will not invoke parliamentary immunity. He has pledged to cooperate fully with the Greek judiciary to resolve the allegations. The formal parliamentary procedure for lifting his immunity is expected to conclude within ten days.