OPEKEPE: Conviction of 57 farmers from Crete
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57 farmers from Crete found guilty after receiving European subsidies through OPEKEPE without being entitled to them. They declared areas in Kastoria as grazing land and olive and almond cultivation.
- 26 Ιουνίου 2026 22:14
Fifty-seven out of the 58 accused farmers from Crete were found guilty after receiving European subsidies through OPEKEPE without being entitled to them.
The Three-Member Misdemeanor Court of Athens decided on their conviction; however, for some of them it reduced the final amount of subsidies with which they harmed the European Union.
The court also decided, by majority, to acquit one producer, on the grounds that the defendant had repaid the amount of approximately €30,000 that had allegedly been paid to her through OPEKEPE. As her defense had argued, the repayment of the funds results in the elimination of criminal liability.
The defense lawyers of the convicted individuals, who did not attend the courtroom themselves, have submitted requests for mitigating circumstances. The relevant decision is expected to be issued on July 1.
According to the indictment, the defendants unlawfully received European subsidies amounting to thousands of euros through OPEKEPE for land they declared in Kastoria as grazing areas and olive and almond cultivation.
