Belgian arrest warrant for Avramopoulos cites ethics breaches

The Belgian authorities have issued a European arrest warrant for Dimitris Avramopoulos, a former European Union commissioner and current member of parliament for Greece's New Democracy party, as part of an ongoing investigation into the Qatargate corruption scandal. The warrant accuses Avramopoulos of breaching ethical guidelines set by the European Commission’s Ethics Committee regarding his post-mandate engagement with the NGO Fight Impunity. This organization, founded by Italian MEP Antonio Panzeri, played a central role in the Qatargate affair, which involves allegations of corruption and illicit dealings between European officials and Qatari interests.

According to the warrant, Avramopoulos, who left his position as Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship in 2019, violated restrictions placed upon him by the Ethics Committee. These rules prohibited him from engaging in lobbying or influencing matters related to his former portfolio for two years after leaving office. The Belgian authorities allege that Avramopoulos traveled to Doha at the invitation of former PASOK MEP Eva Kaili—arrested in December 2022—as part of the Qatargate investigation—to meet with Qatari officials. The purpose of these meetings, according to the warrant, was allegedly to promote visa liberalization for Qatari citizens.

Additionally, the warrant claims that Avramopoulos was the sole member of Fight Impunity’s honorary council to receive payment for his participation. This has raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest, given the organization’s ties to the Qatargate scandal. The Belgian authorities argue that this financial arrangement could constitute a breach of ethical standards, particularly considering the broader implications of the Qatargate case involving bribery and abuse of public funds.

In response to the allegations, Avramopoulos has categorically denied any wrongdoing. He asserts that the Doha trip was not related to lobbying but rather involved participation in the Doha Security Forum, where he addressed topics such as security and human rights. He also emphasizes that his involvement with Fight Impunity was fully authorized by the European Commission’s Ethics Committee and followed proper procedures. According to his statement, the collaboration was transparent, documented, and subject to oversight, including tax reporting requirements.

Avramopoulos has also clarified that he does not intend to invoke parliamentary immunity and instead plans to cooperate with Greek judicial authorities. In a detailed statement released through his parliamentary office, he described the accusations as baseless and unfounded, calling them "a fabrication" aimed at undermining his reputation. He reiterated that his actions were entirely legal and that any attempt to link him to the Qatargate scandal is both unjustified and politically motivated.

The Qatargate scandal, which emerged in late 2022, centers around allegations that certain European officials accepted bribes from Qatar in exchange for facilitating business deals and political favors. Among those implicated was Eva Kaili, who was arrested in December 2022 and later indicted for corruption, money laundering, and leadership of a criminal organization. Antonio Panzeri, founder of Fight Impunity, was also implicated in the scandal and faced similar charges.

Fight Impunity was established in 2019 with the stated goal of promoting human rights and holding individuals accountable for violations. However, its operations became entangled in the Qatargate investigation, raising questions about its true motives and connections to foreign entities. Avramopoulos' involvement with the organization, while initially sanctioned, has now become a focal point of the Belgian investigation.

The legal process surrounding Avramopoulos is currently moving forward. The European arrest warrant has been forwarded to the Greek Ministry of Justice, and the matter is being processed in the Hellenic Parliament. The Greek legislature will need to decide whether to lift Avramopoulos’ parliamentary immunity so that he can be extradited to Belgium for questioning. If the immunity is lifted, the Belgian authorities will proceed with the execution of the arrest warrant.

Meanwhile, Avramopoulos continues to deny any wrongdoing and insists that his actions were lawful and transparent. His supporters argue that the Belgian authorities are attempting to use the Qatargate scandal as a pretext to target him personally, possibly due to political motivations. They emphasize that the investigation should focus on the broader network of individuals and organizations involved, rather than singling out one individual for prosecution.

As the situation unfolds, the Greek government will likely face pressure to make a decision on Avramopoulos’ immunity. The outcome of this decision will determine whether he will be handed over to Belgian authorities for further legal proceedings. Meanwhile, the broader implications of the Qatargate scandal continue to unfold, with ongoing investigations into the roles of other officials and the extent of their involvement in the alleged corruption.