The European Arrest Warrant has been issued against former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, currently a member of the Greek Parliament, as part of the ongoing investigation into the "Katargate" corruption scandal. According to reports from Belgian authorities cited by the Brussels-based outlet Politico, the warrant was issued following allegations linking Avramopoulos to a criminal organization and his receipt of funds from the non-governmental organization "Fight Impunity," which is central to the investigation.
Avramopoulos has categorically denied all charges and stated he will not invoke parliamentary immunity. In a statement released today, he emphasized that the case had no connection to him and claimed that the matter had already been closed three years ago with full institutional transparency and approval from the European Commission. He pointed to a decision signed by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, asserting that any attempt by Belgian authorities to reopen the issue and link his name to "Fight Impunity" is arbitrary, unacceptable, and suspicious. He further indicated that he would use all available legal means to challenge these claims.
According to Greek officials, Avramopoulos is accused of involvement in a criminal organization and is linked to income received from "Fight Impunity." One official noted that Belgian authorities had summoned Avramopoulos nearly a year prior but that he did not respond to the summons. The European Arrest Warrant can only be executed if the Greek parliament votes to lift his parliamentary immunity, according to Politico.
The "Katargate" scandal erupted in December 2022 after Belgian police conducted a series of raids in Brussels, arresting several suspects and seizing large sums of cash. This marked one of the largest corruption investigations involving institutions of the European Union. The probe centers around suspicions that individuals connected to the European Parliament received money and gifts in exchange for representing Qatar's interests.
In the course of this investigation, several high-profile figures have already been arrested. These include former European Parliament member Pier Antonio Panceri, former Vice President of the European Parliament Eva Kaili, and her husband Francesco Giorgi. They face charges including corruption, money laundering, and participation in a criminal organization. All are currently free pending trial.
The situation surrounding Avramopoulos adds another layer of complexity to the "Katargate" affair, which has already drawn significant attention due to its implications for EU governance and integrity. His denial of the allegations and refusal to seek parliamentary immunity suggest that the case could become a focal point of political and legal contention within Greece and the broader EU framework.
The investigation continues to unfold with new developments likely to emerge as more evidence comes to light and legal proceedings progress. Given the gravity of the accusations and the high-profile nature of those involved, the outcome of this case could have far-reaching consequences for the perception of accountability within EU institutions. As the legal process moves forward, the role of the Greek parliament in determining whether Avramopoulos’s immunity is lifted will be crucial in shaping the next phase of the investigation.
2 reports
N1 SrbijaIndependentCenterFactual 90Objective 7514 days agoThe Belgian authorities have issued an EU arrest warrant for former European Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopulos, linked to the 'Katargate' scandal. The case began in December 2022 after Avramopulos left the European Commission, when Belgian police conducted raids in Brussels, arrested key suspects, and seized cash. The main charges allege that those involved were connected to the European Parliament and accepted money or gifts in exchange for fulfilling requests from Qatar. Avramopulos is accused of participating in a criminal organization and receiving income from a non-governmental organization at the center of the scandal. He was previously asked to testify over a year ago but did not appear. Several individuals, including former European Parliament members Pierre Antonio Panceri, Eva Kaili, and her husband Francesco Giorgi, have been arrested and face charges related to corruption, money laundering, and involvement in a criminal organization. They were released pending trial, but progress has been slow. Avramopulos served as commissioner for migration from 2014 to 2019 and was a honorary member of the board of the NGO 'Fight Impunity,' founded by Panceri, but he辞职d
Bias read (Center): The article presents the facts of the arrest warrant and the associated scandal without overtly favoring any side. It includes statements from both the authorities and Avramopulos himself, providing a balanced view of the situation.
Why these scores (Factual 90 · Objective 75): High factuality as it provides detailed background on the 'Katargejt' scandal, mentions key figures involved, and aligns with cross-source consensus. Objectivity is slightly lower due to the inclusion of quotes from unnamed Greek officials which can introduce bias, though overall remains balanced.
BlicIndependentCenterFactual 85Objective 7014 days agoBelgian authorities have issued an European arrest warrant for Dimitris Avramopoulos, a former European Commissioner for Migration and current Greek MP, as part of the corruption investigation known as 'Katargeyt'. The case involves allegations that Avramopoulos participated in a criminal organization and received income from the non-governmental organization 'Fight Impunity', which is at the center of the scandal. Avramopoulos denies all charges and states he will not invoke parliamentary immunity, asserting that the issue was closed three years ago with full institutional transparency and approval from the European Commission. He claims the Belgian authorities' attempt to reopen the matter is arbitrary and suspicious. The 'Katargeyt' affair began in December 2022 after Belgian police conducted raids in Brussels, arrested several suspects, and seized large amounts of cash in one of the largest corruption investigations affecting EU institutions. Other individuals linked to the European Parliament, including former MEP Pier Antonio Panceri and ex-EU Parliament Vice President Eva Kaili and her husband Francesco Giorgi, have been previously arrested and are currently defending their
Bias read (Center): The article presents both the charges against Avramopoulos and his denial of them, providing quotes from both the Belgian authorities and Avramopoulos himself. It does not favor one side over the other and includes context about the broader 'Katargeyt' investigation and previous arrests.
Why these scores (Factual 85 · Objective 70): Factuality is high as the article accurately reports the issuance of an arrest warrant by Belgian authorities and quotes Avramopulos' response. However, some details like the exact timeline and specific allegations are not fully elaborated. Objectivity is lower due to the emotional tone in Avramopul
★
Keep the news honest.
ObjectiveNews is reader-funded and ad-free — we show you the bias instead of hiding it. Support independent journalism for €5/month.
Become a Supporter
Serbia
