The European arrest warrant issued by Belgian authorities against former EU commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos alleges breaches of post-mandate ethics conditions linked to his cooperation with the NGO at the center of the Qatargate scandal.
According to the warrant, Avramopoulos, who is a New Democracy MP, is accused of violating restrictions imposed by the European Commission’s Ethics Committee on his involvement with Fight Impunity, established by former Italian MEP Antonio Panzeri, who negotiated a plea bargain with Belgian authorities early on in the case.
Those conditions allowed Avramopoulos to work with the organization on the condition that, for two years after leaving office, he would not engage in lobbying or influence activities on matters falling within his former portfolio as Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship (2014-2019).
Belgian authorities claim that Avramopoulos travelled to Doha at the invitation of former PASOK MEP Eva Kaili – who was arrested when the scandal broke in December 2022 – to attend meetings with Qatari officials, with the alleged aim of promoting visa liberalization for Qatari citizens.
The warrant further states that he was the only member of Fight Impunity’s honorary council to receive remuneration for his participation.
