Avramopoulos on Qatargate: “I Had No Involvement – Lift My Immunity”

Former European Commissioner and current New Democracy MP Dimitris Avramopoulos issued a statement stressing that he had “no involvement, direct or indirect” in the Qatargate scandal and personally called for the lifting of his parliamentary immunity, following the European arrest warrant issued by the Belgian authorities.

Avramopoulos stated that “the matter that some attempted to associate with my name was resolved three years ago, with full institutional transparency and under the authority of the European Commission, following a decision signed by its President, Ursula von der Leyen.”

“There was no involvement on my part, direct or indirect, in anything improper,” he said.

He concluded by stating that, “although this is an entirely baseless matter, I declare unequivocally that I will not invoke any form of parliamentary immunity. On the contrary, I will personally appeal to the Greek judicial authorities, requesting that the issue be fully investigated and that a ruling be issued.”

His full statement reads as follows:

“I was informed by journalists that a document has reportedly been sent by the Belgian authorities to the Greek authorities, in which an attempt is made, without any basis, to associate my name with the Fight Impunity case.

This case never concerned me.

The matter that some attempted to link to my name was settled three years ago, with full institutional transparency and under the authority of the European Commission, following a decision signed by its President, Ursula von der Leyen.

My participation in the Fight Impunity organisation, alongside prominent international figures, was entirely lawful, audited, approved, declared, and taxed.

There was no involvement on my part, direct or indirect, in anything improper.

Any attempt by the Belgian authorities to revive this issue and associate my name with any matter concerning Fight Impunity, whether through unfounded references or the distortion of actual facts, is arbitrary, unacceptable, suspicious, and will be challenged through every legal means available.

Although this is a completely baseless matter, I state unequivocally that I will not invoke any form of parliamentary immunity. On the contrary, I will personally appeal to the Greek judicial authorities, requesting that the matter be fully investigated and that a ruling be issued.”

 

According to reports, a European arrest warrant has already been issued for Dimitris Avramopoulos, and the Greek judicial authorities have been informed. However, the warrant has not yet been executed, as the lifting of his parliamentary immunity by the Hellenic Parliament is required under the Greek Constitution.

The same sources indicate that the Athens Court of Appeal Prosecutor’s Office, through the Supreme Court Prosecutor’s Office, is expected to forward the relevant case file shortly so that the necessary procedures can begin and Parliament can rule on the matter.

Avramopoulos appears to have been informed of the development, as earlier today (June 22) he visited the Athens Court of Appeal Prosecutor’s Office accompanied by his lawyer in order to be briefed on the case.

It should be noted that the former European Commissioner has consistently maintained that all actions under scrutiny by the Belgian authorities were lawful.

What Belgian Authorities Are Investigating

According to information, Avramopoulos is facing allegations of participation in a criminal organization, with investigators linking the case to a financial benefit of approximately €73,000.

At the center of the investigation is his cooperation with an NGO founded by Antonio Panzeri, the central figure in the Qatargate scandal. After leaving his post as European Commissioner, Avramopoulos provided services to the organization and received a monthly fee of €5,000. The total amount of these payments reportedly forms the basis of the financial benefit being examined by the investigating authorities.

What Happens Next

The Athens Court of Appeal Prosecutor’s Office is now forwarding the documents received from the Belgian authorities regarding Avramopoulos’s alleged involvement to the Supreme Court Prosecutor’s Office.

The case file will then be sent to the Ministry of Justice, which will subsequently submit it to the Greek Parliament. Members of Parliament will be called upon to vote on whether or not to lift Dimitris Avramopoulos’s parliamentary immunity.

Should a parliamentary majority vote in favor of lifting his immunity, the way would be cleared for the execution of the arrest warrant and the possible arrest of the MP.

Under constitutional provisions, Parliament is required to rule on the request within three months, although this three-month deadline is suspended during parliamentary recess periods.