Qatargate: Belgium withdraws arrest warrant for Avramopoulos
Belgian judicial authorities have withdrawn the arrest warrant issued against Greek New Democracy MP and former European Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos in connection with the investigation into the Qatargate affair.
The decision brings the Greek judicial proceedings concerning the warrant to a close, following Avramopoulos' appearance before the Belgian authority that had issued it.
Warrant withdrawn after Brussels hearing
According to information cited by the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, Avramopoulos appeared in person before the relevant Belgian authority in Brussels and was questioned as part of the ongoing investigation.
Following the hearing, the Belgian authorities revoked the warrant. As a result, the Athens Court of Appeal determined that the grounds for executing the warrant in Greece no longer existed and closed the relevant file.
The Greek Parliament had previously authorized the execution of the Belgian request, with Avramopoulos himself agreeing to the procedure.
Avramopoulos denies involvement
Avramopoulos has consistently denied any connection with the activities under investigation in Belgium and has rejected allegations of involvement in illegal activity.
In a detailed memorandum submitted to the Greek Parliament, he addressed his participation in the Honorary Board of Fight Impunity, an organization at the center of the Belgian investigation.
According to Avramopoulos, his role in the organization was strictly honorary and advisory, without executive, administrative, financial or management responsibilities.
Former commissioner cites eu procedure
Avramopoulos has also said that, before taking up the activity, he followed the required procedure for former European commissioners before the European Commission.
He has maintained that his remuneration was known to the Greek authorities and that the relevant income was properly declared and taxed.
The withdrawal of the Belgian warrant means that the specific judicial procedure concerning its execution in Greece has now been closed, while the Belgian investigation itself remains a separate matter.
Source:AMNA
