Belgium issues European arrest warrant for Greek MP Avramopoulos in Qatargate case; he waives immunity

Arrest warrant and charges

Belgian judicial authorities issued a European arrest warrant on 22 June 2026 for Dimitris Avramopoulos, a former European Commissioner and sitting MP for Greece's ruling New Democracy party. The warrant, connected to the sprawling Qatargate corruption probe, lists three alleged offences: participation in a criminal organisation, money laundering, and passive bribery. According to reports, the case revolves around payments totalling approximately 73,000 to 75,000 euros that Avramopoulos received from Fight Impunity, an NGO founded by Antonio Panzeri, a central figure in the scandal. The warrant has been communicated to Greek judicial authorities but cannot be executed until the Hellenic Parliament lifts his immunity.

Avramopoulos's response

Avramopoulos learned of the warrant from journalists and immediately issued a statement denying any involvement in the case. He asserted that the matter had been closed three years ago, with full institutional transparency and the approval of the European Commission under President Ursula von der Leyen.

“The issue that was attempted to be linked to my name was closed three years ago, with full institutional transparency and the seal of the European Commission, following a decision signed by its President, Ursula von der Leyen.”

He described his participation in Fight Impunity as lawful, approved, declared, and taxed. Avramopoulos also declared that he would not invoke parliamentary immunity and would instead petition the Greek justice system to investigate the matter fully.

“Although this is a completely unfounded matter, I state outright that I will not make use of any parliamentary immunity. On the contrary, I will myself apply to the Greek Justice system, asking for the matter to be thoroughly investigated and adjudicated.”

Political fallout

The opposition party SYRIZA reacted sharply, using the warrant to accuse the New Democracy government of entanglement with corrupt practices. In a statement, the party likened the governing party to a court docket with a blue logo, referencing the party's colour.

“New Democracy is no longer a party. It is a court docket with a blue logo.”

SYRIZA also posed a direct question about whether government MPs would vote to lift Avramopoulos's immunity or embark on another cover-up operation. The case dossier is expected to be forwarded from the Athens Prosecutor's Office to the Supreme Court, and then via the Ministry of Justice to Parliament, possibly as early as Tuesday 23 June.

The Qatargate background

Qatargate erupted in December 2022 when Belgian police raided properties in Brussels, seizing more than 1.5 million euros in cash and arresting several individuals, including former Italian MEP Antonio Panzeri and then-European Parliament Vice-President Eva Kaili. The scandal revealed an alleged network that sought to influence EU decisions in favour of Qatar and Morocco through money and gifts. Kaili was stripped of her vice-presidency and remains charged with criminal organisation, corruption, and money laundering, though she maintains her innocence.

The timeline below traces key milestones from Avramopoulos's initial engagement with Fight Impunity through to the latest warrant.

Avramopoulos's defence emphasises that his role on the NGO's Honorary Board was advisory and non-executive, with no management, financial, or representative responsibilities. His monthly gross honorarium of 5,000 euros was approved by the European Commission's Independent Ethical Committee in December 2020, and the net amount after taxes was approximately 3,750 euros per month. The committee's opinion followed a months-long exchange in which Avramopoulos supplied detailed information about his planned duties.