Greece’s Justice Ministry received on Tuesday a court request for the lifting of the immunity of Dimitris Avramopoulos, a former European commissioner and current New Democracy lawmaker, following a European arrest warrant issued by Belgium in connection with the Qatargate corruption inquiry.
Due to Greece’s particular laws, the request will then have to be sent to Parliament, which will decide on the Conservative MPs immunity.
The case centers on Avramopoulos’ involvement with a nongovernmental organization founded by Antonio Panzeri – a former MEP and central figure in the Qatargate scandal – through which he allegedly received monthly payments of €5,000.
Belgian authorities are accusing the former commissioner of participating in a criminal organization, with the alleged financial benefit totaling approximately €73,000.
Avramopoulos has denied the charges in a statement, calling them “completely unfounded,” while adding that he would seek the lifting of his parliamentary immunity and asking that the Greek Justice Ministry fully investigate the matter.
