The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) formally requested on Wednesday that the Hellenic Parliament lift the immunity of 11 sitting MPs investigated in the farm subsidy scandal.
EPPO said that five former Members of Parliament are also under investigation. In parallel, it has referred to the Hellenic Parliament information regarding alleged involvement of a former Minister and a Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food.
The investigation centers on an organized fraud scheme targeting EU agricultural funds managed by the Greek payment agency, OPEKEPE. The alleged fraud centers on a sophisticated scheme to siphon off millions in EU agricultural subsidies through the agency.
According to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), the “organized fraud ring” reportedly exploited the agency’s digital systems in 2021 to divert funds intended for genuine farmers into the pockets of unauthorized beneficiaries. The investigation alleges a web of felonies including computer fraud, breach of trust, and false attestation. By manipulating data and bypassing oversight, the suspects are accused of undermining the financial interests of the European Union.
Greek authorities have so far arrested 15 individuals in Crete, with investigators estimating that approximately 1.7 million euros were obtained through fraudulent subsidy claims. A total of 42 people are reported to be under investigation. Law enforcement sources say several of those arrested allegedly continued submitting subsidy applications last year, declaring farmland registered in the names of deceased individuals.
Greek Constitution limits probe into the farm subsidy scandal
EPPO notes that the Greek Constitution does not allow the investigation of former ministers unless the Hellenic Parliament approves.
Article 86 of the Greek Constitution states that, if during an investigation, evidence should arise which relates to offenses possibly committed by Ministers during the exercise of their duties (even if they subsequently leave their position), it should be promptly forwarded to the Parliament.
“This makes it impossible for the EPPO to fully carry out its tasks and forces it to split its ongoing investigation for what concerns the possible criminal liability of members of the Greek government,” EPPO says in its statement.
“All persons concerned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in the competent Greek courts of law,” it is added.
The EPPO, currently headed by first European Chief Prosecutor Laura Codruța Kövesi, a Romanian, is responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.
Related: Greece’s Farm Subsidy Scandal Exposes Personal Ties Between Political Leaders and Suspects
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