39 arrests in multi-million euro fraud at OPEKEPE – the "masterminds" in Athens
Thirty-nine members of a criminal network have been arrested in Athens, Crete and northern Greece for illegal diversion of OPEKEPE subsidies exceeding 4.5 million euros.
Operation to dismantle OPEKEPE fraud network: 39 arrested
Thirty-nine people have been arrested in a major police operation to dismantle an organised criminal network allegedly illegally diverting agricultural subsidies from OPEKEPE, according to ERT. The estimated illegal proceeds exceed 4.5 million euros.
The arrests are distributed as follows: 17 people in Thessaloniki, Serres and Kilkis, 20 in Rethymno, Heraklion and Lasithi, and two in Attica. The Anti-Organised Crime Directorate is conducting simultaneous investigations in Thessaloniki, Serres, Kilkis, Athens and Crete.
Among those arrested are the alleged "masterminds" of the case, two brothers from Rethymno. One of them was arrested at Eleftherios Venizelos airport upon returning from a business trip to Italy.
Structured hierarchy and digital maps
According to investigation findings, the network operated with a structured hierarchy. KYD administrators with access to OPEKEPE digital maps identified free and eligible plots of land that had not been declared by their legitimate owners. These plots were then reported as owned or cultivated by 14 farmers who were members of the network, who received the corresponding subsidies. A large portion of the money ended up with the "masterminds" and their associates.
The case file includes a total of 116 individuals involved, who are expected to be called to give statements. The case concerns damage to the financial interests of the European Union.
Seizures and next steps
During the investigations, five private motor vehicles, 10 gold lire, 110 ear tags of sheep, goats and cattle, a revolver with 50 bullets, cash of 12,870 euros, as well as numerous documents and digital files were seized. Bank accounts of 18 of those arrested were also frozen, with balances exceeding 355,000 euros.
The 20 Crete arrestees are being held at Heraklion Police Directorate. The next day they will be transferred by sea to Piraeus and, together with the two Attica arrestees, will be taken to the European Public Prosecutor's Office, which has jurisdiction over crimes against the financial interests of the EU. The European Public Prosecutor's Office will decide who will remain in custody, who will be released on bail and who will be referred for regular investigation.
Reporting: Giorgos Papadakis, Kostas Kantoris, Lia Christara
Source: ERT