Qatargate: Dimitris Avramopoulos judicial file transmitted to Greek Parliament
Belgian judicial authorities have issued an arrest warrant against former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos as part of the investigation into the Qatargate corruption scandal.
Qatargate: Dimitris Avramopoulos judicial file transmitted to Greek Parliament
The file concerning former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos was transmitted today to the Greek Parliament, following a request from Belgian judicial authorities. Belgian investigators have issued an arrest warrant against the Greek politician as part of the ongoing investigation into the corruption scandal that shook the European Parliament.
The warrant cannot be executed immediately, as parliamentary immunity for Mr Avramopoulos must first be lifted. After receiving the file, parliamentary procedures should be launched, with the Ethics Committee examining the request and the plenary assembly subsequently being called upon to decide by roll-call vote.
At the centre of the affair is the former European commissioner's participation in the NGO Fighting Impunity, founded by former MEP Antonio Panzeri. Dimitris Avramopoulos participated in the organisation's advisory body from February 2021 to February 2022, receiving total remuneration of €76,150 gross.
The same advisory body also included other figures from the European political scene, notably the former High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Federica Mogherini, and former French Prime Minister, Bernard Cazeneuve.
Belgian authorities are examining three main offences: participation in a criminal organisation, money laundering from illegal activities, and passive corruption. European sources indicate that the investigation focuses primarily on the remuneration paid via the NGO and the examination of its origin.
In public statements, Dimitris Avramopoulos maintains that he has no involvement in the affair and specifies that he does not intend to invoke his parliamentary immunity. Rather, he states that he will himself request a full investigation from the Greek judiciary, using the framework of judicial cooperation between Greece and Belgium.
According to him, his participation in the Fighting Impunity organisation alongside prominent international figures was absolutely legal, controlled, approved, declared and taxed. He contends that any attempt to link his name to the affair is arbitrary and unacceptable.
Source: EfSyn
Source: Efimerida ton Syntakton