Georgoulis defense attorneys reiterate his denial of sex assault charges

The two Brussels-based defense attorneys hired by Greek MEP Alexis Georgoulis, who’s at the center of an investigation on alleged sexual assault and battery charges, on Thursday said the latter was only informed earlier this month of a request by Belgian authorities to lift his parliamentary immunity.

Attorneys Olivia Venet and Cedric Vergauwen said their client has also not received copies of an indictment. Venet again underlined that Georgoulis denies all charges against him.

“In early April 2023, Alexis Georgoulis was surprised to learn, on the occasion of a request to lift his parliamentary immunity, that Ms. C…, has filed a lawsuit against him, charging him with indecent actions that allegedly took place in January 2020 in Brussels. These claims are officially denied. Mr. Georgoulis absolutely denies Ms. C’s… charges,” the defense attorney said.

Venet said her client will also request that his immunity be lifted and reiterated his confidence in the Belgian justice system.

She also pointed to what she called a “delay” by Belgian authorities to reveal the investigation and the fact that the case publicly emerged three weeks before a general election in Greece, something she said was directly cited by Georgoulis.

The Greek MEP was elected in May 2019 on the ballot of leftist SYRIZA party, which is the current main opposition party in Greece.