**Belgium Issues EU Arrest Warrant for Former Commissioner Avramopoulos Amid Qatargate Probe**
A Belgian investigating judge has issued a European arrest warrant for Dimitris Avramopoulos, the former Greek European Commissioner, as part of the ongoing investigation into a significant corruption scandal known as "Qatargate." This development was confirmed by a Greek government official on Monday, following reports from various media outlets in Belgium and Greece.
The Qatargate scandal, which came to light in 2022, involves allegations that several European Union officials accepted bribes from Qatari representatives to influence EU policymaking. This case has emerged as one of the most significant corruption scandals to affect the European Union, drawing attention to the integrity of its institutions.
The investigation has already led to dramatic law enforcement actions, including raids that resulted in the seizure of approximately €1.5 million (around $1.6 million) in cash. Notably, some of this money was found packed in a large suitcase at a hotel in Brussels, underscoring the serious nature of the allegations.
In response to the arrest warrant, Avramopoulos has publicly denied any involvement in illicit activities. He stated, “There was no direct or indirect involvement of mine in anything reprehensible.” Avramopoulos, who is currently a member of the Greek Parliament representing the ruling conservative New Democracy party, emphasized his willingness to cooperate with the legal process. He announced that he would not invoke any parliamentary immunity and intends to appeal to the Greek judiciary for a thorough investigation into the matter.
Avramopoulos served as the European Commissioner for Migration until 2019 and has since been associated with Fight Impunity, a non-governmental organization that has also been linked to the Qatargate scandal. As of now, Fight Impunity has not provided any comments regarding the situation, and the Belgian prosecutor's office has refrained from making any statements.
The Qatargate scandal has sparked widespread concern about corruption within the EU, prompting discussions about the need for greater transparency and accountability among its officials. Qatar, for its part, has consistently denied any allegations of wrongdoing related to the scandal.
As the investigation unfolds, the implications of the arrest warrant for Avramopoulos and the broader context of the Qatargate scandal continue to develop, raising questions about the future of EU governance and the integrity of its institutions.