European Prosecutors Raid Greek Office Over Farm Subsidies

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) launched an unannounced raid on a Greek regional veterinary office to audit farm subsidies and financial records linked to OPEKEPE,

the Greek Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid.

Investigators searched the official Veterinary Service headquarters in Trikala, central Greece, until late Thursday evening. The unannounced operation targets potential financial fraud involving European Union agricultural and livestock subsidy payments. The intense regulatory crackdown renews severe international scrutiny over how regional Greek administrators distribute lucrative European Union development funds.

Auditing cattle subsidies and collecting critical evidence

EPPO officials maintained strict confidentiality while seizing a massive volume of specific OPEKEPE financial records and beneficiary files. The criminal inquiry focuses primarily on financial aid payments linked to local livestock holdings, particularly cattle.

Trikala Deputy Regional Governor Chrysa Ntinti formally confirmed the surprise inspection during an interview with a local radio station. Ntinti stated that investigators are currently examining three separate suspicious cases involving more than one individual.

The agency will process the seized files at its main offices to determine the legality of the handouts.

Investigating multi-year discrepancies and regional malpractice

The judicial inquiry primarily covers the period from 2020 through 2021 to trace systemic financial discrepancies within OPEKEPE. Various regional paperwork and reports dating back to 2019 are also being audited.

European prosecutors have not yet made any official findings from the Trikala inspection public.

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