A Belgian investigating judge authorized the warrant on Monday evening, according to a Greek government official who corroborated earlier reports from Belgian and Greek media outlets.
Authorities say the warrant is tied to the broader corruption scandal that first surfaced in 2022, which has since triggered multiple investigations across European Union institutions.
Several individuals within EU political and administrative circles are alleged to have received illicit payments from Qatar in exchange for influencing European Union policy decisions. The case, widely known as Qatargate, is considered one of the most serious corruption scandals in the history of the 27-member bloc.
Investigators have previously carried out extensive raids during the probe, during which approximately €1.5 million ($1.6 million) in cash was recovered. Some of the money was reportedly discovered hidden inside luggage found at a hotel in Brussels.
Avramopoulos has firmly denied all allegations against him, insisting that he had no direct or indirect involvement in any wrongdoing connected to the case.
He stated that he will not invoke parliamentary immunity and instead intends to cooperate fully with judicial authorities. He also announced plans to personally appeal to the Greek judiciary, calling for a complete and transparent investigation leading to a final ruling.
The former EU Commissioner for Migration, who served until 2019, currently sits in the Greek Parliament as a member of the ruling New Democracy party. After leaving his European Commission role, he later joined Fight Impunity, an NGO that has also been mentioned in connection with the wider investigation.
The organization Fight Impunity has not responded to requests for comment, while the Belgian prosecutor’s office has declined to issue a statement.
Qatar has consistently denied all allegations of wrongdoing linked to the Qatargate corruption case.
Goodness Anunobi
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