EPPO: Charges brought against 22 people for agricultural subsidy fraud in Greece
The European Public Prosecutor's Office has brought charges against 22 defendants, including four sitting MPs, for organised fraud involving EU agricultural funds.
EPPO: Charges brought against 22 people for agricultural subsidy fraud in Greece
The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Athens has brought charges against 22 defendants, including four sitting members of the Greek Parliament, former senior public officials and political aides, as part of an investigation into an alleged large-scale organised scheme involving fraud of agricultural funds.
According to the EPPO announcement, the charges relate to acts alleged to have been committed in 2021. In April 2026, the Greek Parliament had lifted parliamentary immunity for 11 sitting MPs following a request by the European Chief Prosecutor.
The investigation revealed common patterns of corruption in the management of EU agricultural funds financed by the Common Agricultural Policy. The evidence indicates, among other things, unlawful interference in administrative and supervisory procedures, retroactive modification of data after the completion of mandatory checks, unlawful interference in on-site inspections, concealment and manipulation of audit findings, as well as false certifications.
Among the defendants are the former President of OPEKEPE with five counts of breach of trust, the former Director General of Direct Aids with two counts of breach of trust, and two former Regional Directors of OPEKEPE for breach of trust and unlawful management of EU funds.
Four sitting MPs are also charged: three with incitement to breach of trust and one with incitement to unlawful management of EU funds. One of the MPs faces additional charges for incitement to falsifying official documents and attempted computer fraud.
The remaining defendants include a member of staff at the office of a sitting MP, an aide to a former minister, a veterinary employee and several beneficiaries of the funds. The charges include subsidy fraud, attempted computer fraud, falsification of official documents and forms of incitement.
Charges against seven other sitting MPs and two former MPs were rejected due to insufficient evidence. Investigations into other acts alleged to have been committed in different years are continuing.
In the event of conviction, the defendants face sentences of up to five years' imprisonment and the prescribed fines in accordance with Greek law. All individuals involved are presumed innocent until convicted by the relevant Greek courts.
Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)