Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis has distanced himself clearly from former European Commissioner and current New Democracy MP Dimitris Avramopoulos — amid growing controversy over a European arrest warrant issued against him by Belgian authorities.
Acknowledging the Legal Process
Speaking to Open TV on 24 June, Marinakis addressed Avramopoulos’s earlier remarks — delivered in sharp tone — accusing Public Order Minister Michalis Chryssochoidis of having kept the arrest warrant in his drawer for three days, and claiming he learned about it only from journalists, after Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had already been informed.
On the substance of the case, Marinakis said: ‘Mr. Avramopoulos has given his own answers, and — though I am not a judge — based on what we read and what he himself has stated, those answers appear convincing.’
No Ministerial Interference in Judicial Procedure
Regarding the arrest warrant itself, Marinakis emphasized that standard legal procedure was followed: ‘According to all official sources — both police and judicial — the same process was applied. That is, the warrant was forwarded to the prosecutor within 24 hours, and the full legal process unfolded accordingly. Neither could nor did any minister — including the Minister of Citizen Protection — intervene in this matter. In cases involving European arrest warrants, there is no room for political involvement.’
Clarifying the Timeline
On Avramopoulos’s claim that Chryssochoidis withheld the warrant and that he was informed by the Prime Minister’s office: ‘Based on my information and on reality, this is not accurate. The legally prescribed deadlines were not only met — they were shortened. Because it was a European arrest warrant, and to avoid any appearance of concealment, it was transmitted to the prosecutor within 24 hours. The Maximos Mansion began receiving inquiries the day before, as multiple media outlets and officials — citing sources in Brussels — asked whether there was an issue involving Mr. Avramopoulos. A collaborator of the Prime Minister contacted him directly to ask if he was aware of anything. Hours later, the existence of the warrant became public through the media — as it inevitably would have, since it had already entered the judicial system and would soon be forwarded to Parliament. The Prime Minister has no authority in such matters. This is a clear, self-contained judicial process: the prosecutor decides whether the case will be examined by Greek courts or transferred to Belgium.’
On Failure to Respond to Summons
Avramopoulos has reportedly been summoned twice by Belgian authorities but did not appear. On this point, Marinakis said: ‘I’m not a lawyer — nor do I claim to be one. But even from the outside, anyone who’s ever stepped into a courtroom knows that many people — innocent, exhausted, ordinary citizens — are obliged to drop everything and appear before the courts whenever called.’
He added: ‘I want to stress that, however questionable a case may seem — however excessive a summons might appear — it remains fundamental to understand that when authorities call — whether Greek or foreign — we have a duty to respond. Let me reiterate: I am not speaking for Mr. Avramopoulos. I respect him immensely. He is a politician who has consistently demonstrated integrity, dignity, and professionalism over many years. My response reflects a simple principle: when authorities call, you go.’