Belgian judicial authorities issued a European arrest warrant for former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, marking a new development in the long-running Qatargate corruption investigation.
The warrant, confirmed by Greek government sources and reported by several Greek and Belgian media outlets, is linked to the probe into allegations that foreign governments, including Qatar and Morocco, sought to influence European Union decision-making through bribery and illicit lobbying efforts. Both countries have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Avramopoulos, a former EU Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs and currently a member of the Greek Parliament for the governing New Democracy party, has denied the allegations.
“There was no involvement on my part, direct or indirect, in anything improper,” Avramopoulos said in a statement to Greek media.
The latest move by Belgian investigators highlights the continuing fallout from what many observers consider one of the most serious corruption scandals in the history of the European Union.
Avramopoulos’ name has surfaced repeatedly during the investigation due to his association with Fight Impunity, a Brussels-based NGO founded by former Italian MEP Antonio Panzeri, who prosecutors have identified as a central figure in the Qatargate affair.
Between 2021 and early 2022, Avramopoulos served as an honorary board member of the organisation. According to reports, he received approximately €5,000 per month for that role, while other honorary members reportedly served without compensation.
Defending his involvement, Avramopoulos argued that his participation in the organisation was entirely lawful, transparent, and approved under European Commission ethics procedures. He described any attempt to connect him to criminal activity as “arbitrary”, “unacceptable”, and based on a distortion of facts.
Investigative reporting has also raised questions about Avramopoulos’ relationship with Panzeri and Panzeri’s former aide Francesco Giorgi. Earlier investigations suggested efforts were made to advance visa-free travel arrangements for Qatari citizens within the Schengen area.
Avramopoulos has rejected those allegations, insisting that all actions taken during his tenure as commissioner complied fully with EU rules and procedures.
The arrest warrant now triggers a formal process involving the Greek Parliament, which may be asked to consider lifting Avramopoulos’ parliamentary immunity. However, the former commissioner has publicly stated that he will not invoke immunity protections and has called for a full examination of the matter by Greek authorities.
The Qatargate investigation first erupted in late 2022 when Belgian authorities launched a series of raids across Brussels.
Investigators seized approximately €1.5 million in cash from various locations, including private residences, a Brussels hotel room, and properties linked to members of the European Parliament.
Several current and former European lawmakers have faced allegations ranging from corruption and money laundering to participation in a criminal organisation.
Among the most prominent figures implicated in the investigation is former European Parliament Vice-President Eva Kaili.
While no final convictions have yet been handed down against many of the individuals under investigation, the scandal has fuelled growing concerns about transparency, foreign influence, and accountability within the European Union’s governing institutions.
For critics of the EU establishment, the latest arrest warrant raises fresh questions about whether Brussels has done enough to police itself against corruption and external influence.
Belgian federal prosecutors have declined to comment publicly on the latest developments.
