Avramopoulos on Qatargate: "This whole story is nonsense"
Former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos denies any involvement in the Qatargate scandal and claims that his payments from the Fight Impunity organisation were legal and declared.
Avramopoulos on Qatargate: "This whole story is nonsense"
Former European Union Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos has spoken publicly for the first time since an arrest warrant was issued against him by Belgian authorities in connection with the Qatargate affair. The Greek politician categorically denied any involvement in illegal financial transactions.
In an interview given to SKAI, Mr Avramopoulos maintained that the payments he received for his participation in the Fight Impunity organisation were entirely legal. He explained that these funds had been declared to the tax authorities and approved by the European Commission. "I asked at the time whether I could be paid. I was told yes. I obtained permission. I was participating as an honorary member and I was receiving 5,000 euros per month, which I declared. I pay taxes in Greece. Is it possible that there were bribes?" he stated.
He clarified that the invitation to participate in the organisation came from Antonio Panzeri, following the end of his term as chair of the Parliament's Committee on Human Rights. Panzeri had parallel activities, which were revealed by Qatargate. However, Mr Avramopoulos emphasised that Fight Impunity was not a cover for the activities of the former Italian MEP, but rather an independent parallel initiative.
Regarding the arrest warrant, the former commissioner claimed that it had not been issued by Belgian justice authorities, but by police officers. "It was not Belgian justice that called me, but certain police officers. They say 'why don't we also call the commissioner?' ignoring that, two years ago, this had already been investigated, we had discussed it and answers had been given by the European Commission, which said that Mr Avramopoulos had acted perfectly well" he stated.
He added that the warrant was neither European nor from Belgian justice. "That is why it was not sent to the Ministry of Justice, but to the Ministry of Citizen Protection, to the Police. Mr Chrysochoidis had it for three days in his drawer," he noted, saying that Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had also been informed.
Mr Avramopoulos expressed his confidence in Greek justice and called for his immunity to be lifted. "In essence, the warrant is invalid in the manner it was issued," he added. As to whether he would be a candidate in the next elections, he replied that "we shall see, it is too early to talk about it."
Source: Naftemporiki
Source: Naftemporiki