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5 clusters · 34 sources · 12 days · First seen 13 days ago · Last updated 1 day ago

Greek parliamentary immunity proceedings

Overview

The Greek parliament has taken several actions regarding the parliamentary immunity of its members. In a vote supported by 264 out of 266 MPs present, the parliament lifted the immunity of Dimitris Avramopoulos, a former European Commissioner and New Democracy lawmaker. This decision allows Belgian authorities to advance an investigation into the ‘Qatargate’ corruption scandal, which involves allegations of money laundering, public corruption, and participation in a criminal group. Avramopoulos has denied all allegations, stating his involvement with the NGO Fight Impunity was ‘lawful, audited, approved’. He maintains his role was ‘exclusively honorary and advisory’ without executive, administrative, or financial responsibilities, noting his compensation was fully declared and taxed in Greece. Following his voluntary appearance before Belgian judicial authorities in Brussels to provide evidence and explanations, Belgian authorities revoked the arrest warrant previously issued for Avramopoulos. Consequently, the Athens Court of Appeal has closed the case regarding the execution of the warrant. The parliament also voted to lift the immunity of Zoi Konstantopoulou, president of Pleksi Eleftherias, for two separate cases: a defamation lawsuit involving Christoforos Sevastidis and a case regarding the unauthorized video recording and social media posting of a police officer during the Tempi train crash trial. Konstantopoulou characterized these legal actions as ‘organized targeting’. Conversely, the parliament rejected requests to lift the immunity of New Democracy MPs Lefteris Avgenakis and Makarios Lazaridis. Avgenakis faces allegations regarding an inaccurate asset declaration, while Lazaridis faces allegations of fraud involving a legal entity of the Greek state. The Ethics Committee had previously recommended against lifting their immunity, with Lazaridis characterizing the charges as ‘purely political persecution’. Recent parliamentary proceedings have expanded to include other members. The Ethics Committee has recommended lifting the immunity of SYRIZA MP Pavlos Polakis following a complaint of false accusation.

Entities

Greek Parliament · New Democracy · Zoi Konstantopoulou · Dimitris Avramopoulos · Fight Impunity

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] Belgian authorities revoked the arrest warrant issued against Dimitris Avramopoulos. www.press-gr.com · www.reporter.gr · www.newsbomb.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Dimitris Avramopoulos appeared voluntarily before Belgian authorities to provide explanations regarding the Qatargate investigation. www.press-gr.com · www.reporter.gr · www.newsbomb.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] Avramopoulos denied any involvement in illegal activities related to the Qatargate case. www.press-gr.com · www.reporter.gr · www.newsbomb.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The revocation of the warrant renders the Greek Parliament's decision to lift Avramopoulos's parliamentary immunity moot, effectively closing the case in Greece. www.press-gr.com · www.reporter.gr · www.newsbomb.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The Ethics Committee recommended lifting the parliamentary immunity of Pavlos Polakis. www.businessdaily.gr · www.reader.gr · www.powergame.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The Ethics Committee recommended against lifting the immunity of New Democracy MPs Thano Pleuris and Takis Theodorakakos. www.businessdaily.gr · www.reader.gr · www.powergame.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The case against Pleuris and Theodorakakos involves an alleged illegal processing of personal data via a filing system intervention. www.businessdaily.gr · www.reader.gr · www.powergame.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The case against Polakis involves an alleged false accusation filed by Stamatis Poulis. www.businessdaily.gr · www.reader.gr · www.powergame.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] Avramopoulos stated his role in the Fight Impunity organization was strictly honorary and advisory, without executive or financial responsibilities. www.reporter.gr · www.newsbomb.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] Avramopoulos asserted that his remunerations were declared and taxed in Greece. www.reporter.gr · www.newsbomb.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] Pavlos Polakis described the legal proceedings against him as a blatant act of political revenge. www.businessdaily.gr · www.reader.gr
[● 2 SOURCES] PASOK and Plexsi Eleftherias voted in favor of lifting the immunity of Pleuris and Theodorakakos, while ND, KKE, SYRIZA, and Niki voted against. www.businessdaily.gr · www.powergame.gr

Timeline

1 day ago

[POLITICS] 7 sources
Greek Parliament votes on immunity for several MPs
The Greek Parliament voted to lift the immunity of Zoi Konstantopoulou and Pavlos Polakis, while rejecting requests to lift the immunity of ministers Thanasis Plevris and Takis Theodorakakos.
7 days ago

[POLITICS] 10 sources
Hellenic Parliament rejects immunity lifting for Avgenakis and Lazaridis
The Hellenic Parliament rejected requests to lift the immunity of New Democracy MPs Avgenakis and Lazaridis but approved the lifting of immunity for Zoi Konstantopoulou.
9 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 11 sources
Dimitris Avramopoulos: Belgian arrest warrant revoked in Qatargate case
Belgian authorities revoked the arrest warrant for former EU Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos regarding the Qatargate probe after he appeared voluntarily to provide testimony and evidence.
13 days ago

[POLITICS] 4 sources
Greek Ethics Committee recommends against lifting immunity for two MPs
The Greek Parliament's Ethics Committee recommended against lifting the immunity of MPs Lefteris Avgenakis and Makarios Lazaridis amid allegations of inaccurate asset declarations and fraud.
13 days ago

[INTERNATIONAL] 7 sources
Greek parliament lifts immunity for Dimitris Avramopoulos
The Greek parliament lifted the immunity of former EU Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos, enabling Belgian authorities to pursue him in the ‘Qatargate’ corruption and money laundering investigation.

Sources

athina984.gr · businessdaily.gr · cnn.gr · cyprus-mail.com · dailydigest.ie · ekriti.gr · emvolos.gr · ethnos.gr · euronews.net · fjala.al · fr.euronews.com · iefimerida.gr · koutipandoras.gr · larissapress.gr · lifo.gr · maps.in.gr · milletnews.com · naftemporiki.gr · newsbomb.gr · notospress.gr · patrapress.gr · pelop.gr · pontosnews.gr · powergame.gr · press-gr.blogspot.gr · protothema.gr · reader.gr · Reporter.gr · sinidisi.gr · tanea.gr · thepressroom.gr · thestival.gr · wtxnews.com · zarpanews.gr

This summary has been updated 4 times: see revision history