Belgium seeks arrest of former EU commissioner in Qatargate case

Belgian prosecutors have issued an arrest warrant for former EU commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos in the Qatargate corruption investigation.

The case centres on claims that Qatar and Morocco tried to influence the European Parliament by giving money and gifts to current and former MEPs. Both countries deny the allegations.

Belgian authorities want Avramopoulos’ immunity lifted so he can be questioned.

Avramopoulos was the EU commissioner for migration from 2014 to 2019. He is now a Greek MP for the conservative New Democracy party.

His name appeared in the investigation because of his role at Fight Impunity, an NGO founded by former MEP Antonio Panzeri, a central figure in the case.

Prosecutors say Avramopoulos received money from what they describe as a criminal network.

He denies wrongdoing and says all payments were declared and taxed in Greece.