Key facts
- Four acting Greek lawmakers have been indicted by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).
- The indictments are part of an investigation into alleged farm fraud and misuse of EU subsidies.
- The alleged fraudulent acts occurred in 2021.
- The scandal involves faking ownership of grazing land to claim millions of euros in EU subsidies.
- The former president of OPEKEPE, the agency handling subsidies, has also been charged.
Four acting members of Greece's parliament were among 22 people indicted by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) over an investigation into alleged farm fraud. The scandal, which has rocked the Greek government, involves faking ownership of grazing land to claim millions of euros in EU subsidies, allegedly with the help of state employees and politicians.
The EPPO stated that the four indicted lawmakers are accused of acts committed in 2021, including abuse of trust, unlawful management of EU funds, false attestation, and attempted computer fraud. The office dismissed allegations against seven other deputies due to insufficient evidence. The former president of OPEKEPE, the agency responsible for handling EU subsidies, has also been charged on five counts of abuse of trust.
Last year, European prosecutors charged dozens of Greek stockbreeders in connection with the scheme. The EU has also fined Greece over the misuse of funds between 2016 and 2023. The scandal has previously prompted ministerial resignations and inconclusive parliamentary probes. In April, Greek parliament voted to lift the immunity of 13 lawmakers from the ruling New Democracy party to allow for their investigation.
Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis stated that the four deputies indicted are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The EPPO, established in 2021, is tasked with investigating crimes against the bloc's financial interests. The charges follow an arrest of 20 people on the island of Crete by Greek police who dismantled a criminal gang suspected of aiding farmers in submitting fraudulent applications for EU farm funds.