Arrest warrant issued against Dimitris Avramopoulos in Qatargate investigation
Brussels judicial authorities have issued an arrest warrant against former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos in connection with the investigation into the Qatargate scandal.
Arrest warrant issued against Dimitris Avramopoulos in Qatargate investigation
Brussels judicial authorities have issued an arrest warrant against former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos in connection with the investigation into the Qatargate scandal.
Mr Avramopoulos, who is a member of the Greek Parliament, took part in a non-governmental organisation linked to Antonio Panzeri, a former Member of the European Parliament implicated in the scandal. Belgian justice contends that the former commissioner received money from a "criminal network", whilst he maintains that he declared all his income in his asset declaration.
The warrant cannot be executed immediately, as Mr Avramopoulos's parliamentary immunity must first be lifted by the Greek Parliament. The case is transferred from the Athens appeals prosecutor's office to the Court of Cassation, and then, via the Ministry of Justice, to Parliament.
In a statement, Mr Avramopoulos rejected any suspicion of irregularity, describing as "arbitrary and unacceptable" attempts to link his name to the Fight Impunity case. He stated that he would renounce his parliamentary immunity and would address Greek justice for a full investigation into the matter.
Greek judicial authorities have already been informed of this development. Mr Avramopoulos visited the Athens appeals prosecutor's office in the afternoon of the same day.
Source: Philenews
Source: Philenews