Illegal OPEKEPE subsidies: Ten accused released conditionally
Ten of seventeen accused in a case of subsidy fraud through OPEKEPE have been released conditionally on restrictions.
Illegal OPEKEPE subsidies: Ten accused released conditionally
After giving statements before an examining magistrate of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, ten of seventeen people prosecuted in a subsidy fraud case involving OPEKEPE were ruled to be provisionally released.
Each of the ten was imposed with restrictive measures, depending on the case, such as prohibition from leaving the country's borders and a requirement to report to a police station. One additional person was required to provide a monetary bail.
Two others requested and received an adjournment to provide explanations, with their new deadline set for the following day together with the second group of the remaining accused.
According to the case file, the group operated for five years, exploiting gaps in the subsidy application submission process and in the organisation's inspections. Its members identified undeclared agricultural plots across the country and submitted false applications, illegally obtaining sums totalling up to €7.5 million.
The majority of those involved comes from Thessaloniki and Serres regions, whilst several are connected to each other through family ties. Some of the accused claimed they were unaware of the illegal acts, arguing that they trusted the wrong people and that their personal details were used without their consent.
Source: ERT News
Source: ERT