The case file names 15 MPs — 13 from the ruling New Democracy (ND), and one every from the opposition Pasok and Syriza events — alongside regional officers and former company executives.
Brazen conversations
Prosecutors requested wiretaps on the telephones of OPEKEPE officers, amongst others, and the case file consists of dozens of startlingly brazen conversations. These embody high-ranking officers discussing easy methods to take away European prosecutors from the investigation and MPs requesting favors for his or her constituents.
The file additionally incorporates the testimonies of two former OPEKEPE presidents, Grigoris Varras and Evangelos Simandrakos, who had been fired by Avgenakis and Voridis for making an attempt to dam funds in fraudulent instances. The ministers pressured them to make the funds, the file says.
“Quite a few transcribed conversations included within the case file present the motion of legal teams working with the goal of illegally acquiring subsidies, in addition to undermining and obstructing substantial audits that might have prevented the fraud,” EPPO says in a referral be aware, in response to officers who’ve considered it.
“Requesting the resignation of [former OPEKEPE president Grigoris] Varras appears to have halted the consolidation of the related procedures and gave the chance to those teams to proceed these actions unhindered,” it added.
Earlier this month, the European Fee hit Greece with a advantageous of round €400 million for mismanaging EU farm funding and insufficient controls.
In line with Greek and EU agriculture officers, extra fines are anticipated to observe. Greece’s authorities stated it would shut down OPEKEPE by subsequent 12 months and the farm funds shall be performed by way of the Unbiased Authority for Public Revenues.
