Key facts
- Four sitting Greek lawmakers have been indicted by EU prosecutors for alleged farm subsidy fraud.
- The charges stem from an investigation into an organized fraud ring involving the management of agricultural funds.
- Seven other sitting MPs had their investigations dropped due to insufficient evidence.
- The alleged offenses occurred in 2021 and relate to the Common Agricultural Policy.
- Defendants face potential prison sentences of up to five years and financial penalties if convicted.
European Union prosecutors have indicted four sitting Greek lawmakers and several former high-ranking public officials in connection with an alleged organized fraud ring involving the management of agricultural funds. The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) stated that the investigations revealed common patterns of corruption in the administration of EU agricultural funds financed under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).
In total, charges were brought against 22 defendants. However, proceedings against seven other sitting MPs were shelved due to a lack of sufficient evidence. The Hellenic Parliament had previously approved a request by the European Chief Prosecutor to lift the parliamentary immunity of 11 sitting MPs, allowing EPPO to pursue its investigations into acts allegedly committed in 2021.
The investigations uncovered recurring patterns of corruption in the management of European agricultural subsidies. Offences identified include illegal interference in administrative procedures, retrospective tampering with data, unlawful intervention in on-site inspections, and concealment and manipulation of inspection findings.
Among the indicted are four sitting MPs: three charged with incitement to commit breach of trust, and one with incitement to commit unlawful management of European funds, along with additional charges for incitement to make false attestations and attempted computer fraud. Former President of OPEKEPE, Dimitris Melas, faces five counts of breach of trust, while other former officials and beneficiaries face charges including subsidy fraud and making false statements.
If found guilty, the defendants face a prison sentence of up to five years, as well as criminal financial penalties under Greek law. Complaints against seven further sitting MPs and two former MPs were closed due to insufficient evidence.