Belgium Seeks to Lift Ex-EU Commissioner Avramopoulos’ Immunity in Qatargate Probe
Belgian authorities initiated proceedings to lift the parliamentary immunity of former EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, a Greek MP, over alleged involvement in the Qatargate corruption scandal. He served on the board of Fight Impunity, an NGO central to the scandal, which Belgian prosecutors label a “criminal network” linked to Qatar and Morocco. The EU ethics panel had approved his paid role. Avramopoulos denies wrongdoing, and the request requires approval from Greek lawmakers before any arrest warrant can be issued.
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European Commission Rejects Avramopoulos' Claim of Exoneration in Qatargate
The European Commission has contradicted former Greek Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos' claim that he was cleared in the Qatargate scandal, stating that only routine checks, not a full internal investigation, were conducted into his activities with the NGO Fight Impunity. Avramopoulos faces serious allegations in Belgium, including participation in a criminal organization, bribery, and money laundering, all of which he denies. A Belgian arrest warrant has been issued, and the Greek parliament is set to vote on lifting his parliamentary immunity. The case has also drawn in former Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas, who denied any contact with Belgian authorities regarding Avramopoulos. The Commission emphasized that the NGO's activities are a matter for Belgian authorities, not the EU executive.
EuractivQatargate: Ex-commissioner Avramopoulos Claims Vindication by EU Probe
Former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, facing a Belgian arrest warrant for alleged involvement in the Qatargate corruption scandal, told Euractiv that an internal European Commission investigation cleared him of any wrongdoing. The probe 'found not the slightest evidence' that he attempted to influence EU officials to grant visa-free travel to Qatar. Avramopoulos, currently a Greek MP, expects his parliamentary immunity to be lifted. He faces charges including participation in a criminal organisation, bribery, and money laundering. He served on the board of Fight Impunity, an NGO at the centre of the scandal. Avramopoulos insists his role was honorary, transparent, and authorized, and that he never lobbied for Qatar's visa waiver—in fact, he says he signed a negative opinion on the request. While the Commission approved his NGO participation, a senior official clarified the ethics assessment covered his role, not the NGO itself. Avramopoulos has twice declined to appear before Belgian investigators, requesting written questions instead. He also faces scrutiny over alleged text exchanges with former MEP Eva Kaili, a key figure in the scandal.
EuractivEU Ethics Panel Approved Ex-Commissioner's Job at NGO at Center of Qatargate Scandal
The EU Commission confirmed that its ethics panel approved former migration commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos to take a paid role with Fight Impunity, the NGO at the center of the Qatargate corruption scandal. Belgian authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Avramopoulos and will request his immunity be waived. The scandal involves allegations that Qatar and Morocco bribed EU officials for influence. Avramopoulos, who served from 2014 to 2019, says he was paid €5,000 per month between February 2021 and February 2022 and denies any wrongdoing. The founder of Fight Impunity, former MEP Pier Antonio Panzeri, confessed to masterminding the cash-for-influence scheme. Other senior EU figures, including Federica Mogherini, also served on the NGO's board.
EUobserverEU Ethics Panel Approved Job for Ex-Commissioner at NGO Central to Qatargate Scandal
EU Commission officials confirmed that an ethics panel approved former migration commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos' paid role with Fight Impunity, an NGO at the center of the Qatargate corruption scandal. The Belgian judiciary issued an arrest warrant for Avramopoulos and will request lifting his immunity. The scandal involves allegations that Qatar and Morocco bribed EU officials for influence, including softening criticism of labor rights ahead of the 2022 World Cup. Fight Impunity founder Pier Antonio Panzeri confessed to masterminding the scheme. Avramopoulos received €5,000 monthly from February 2021 to February 2022, denies wrongdoing, and has called for his immunity to be lifted for a full investigation.
EUobserverEU Ethics Panel Approved Post-Term Job for Ex-Commissioner at NGO Central to Qatargate Scandal
The EU Commission confirmed that an ethics panel approved former migration commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos to take a paid role with Fight Impunity, an NGO at the center of the Qatargate corruption scandal. Belgian authorities have issued an arrest warrant for Avramopoulos and seek to lift his immunity. Avramopoulos served on Fight Impunity's Honorary Board from February 2021 to February 2022, receiving €5,000 per month. The Commission stated it has not received any request to lift his immunity. Fight Impunity is described by Belgian authorities as a 'criminal network'. The Qatargate scandal, which broke in 2022, involves allegations that Qatar and Morocco bribed EU officials for influence. Avramopoulos denies wrongdoing and has called for his immunity to be lifted for a full investigation.
EUobserverBelgium Seeks to Lift Immunity of Former EU Commissioner Avramopoulos in Qatargate Probe
Belgian authorities have initiated a procedure to lift the parliamentary immunity of former EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, who is suspected of involvement in the Qatargate corruption scandal. Avramopoulos, now a Greek MP, served on the board of Fight Impunity, an NGO founded by former MEP Antonio Panzeri, the central figure in the scandal. The request has been sent to Greek judicial authorities, and a majority of Greek lawmakers must approve it before an arrest warrant can be issued. Avramopoulos has not been formally indicted and denies any wrongdoing, stating his involvement was lawful and approved by the European Commission. The Qatargate scandal, which emerged in December 2022, involves allegations that EU officials received cash and gifts from Qatar to influence policy. The Brussels prosecutor's office declined to comment.
EuractivBelgium Seeks to Lift Immunity for Ex-EU Commissioner in Qatargate Probe
Belgian authorities have initiated a legal procedure that could lead to an arrest warrant for former EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, citing his alleged involvement in the Qatargate corruption scandal. According to a Belgian judicial source reported by De Standaard and shared with Euractiv, Avramopoulos served on the board of Fight Impunity, an organization at the center of the scandal. This move represents a significant escalation in the ongoing investigation into alleged bribery and influence peddling linked to Qatar and Morocco within European Union institutions.
EuractivBelgium seeks to lift immunity of former EU Commissioner Avramopoulos in Qatargate probe
Belgian authorities have initiated a procedure to lift the parliamentary immunity of former EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos over his alleged involvement in the Qatargate corruption scandal. Avramopoulos, currently a Greek MP, served on the board of Fight Impunity, an NGO founded by disgraced former MEP Antonio Panzeri, the central figure in the scandal. Belgian prosecutors allege payments from a criminal network linked to Qatar were made to influence EU policy. Avramopoulos denies wrongdoing, calls the case unfounded, and says he will request a full investigation by Greek judicial authorities. He maintains his role with the NGO was lawful and previously cleared by the European Commission under President von der Leyen. Qatargate erupted in December 2022, involving allegations of cash and gifts to EU officials from Qatar. The Brussels prosecutor's office declined comment. The immunity request must be approved by a majority of Greek lawmakers before any arrest warrant can be issued.
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