OPEKEPE: Prosecution of 4 MPs, case files for 7 shelved – All the names

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Athens announced on Thursday morning (16/07) the initiation of criminal prosecutions against 22 defendants regarding the OPEKEPE (Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid) case.

Among those indicted are four sitting Members of Parliament (MPs), while the investigation branches concerning seven other MPs have been officially shelved.

It is noted that the charges pressed against the four sitting MPs are classified as misdemeanors under Greek law.

According to an EPPO statement, the evidence against the other seven sitting MPs was insufficient to warrant prosecution, and thus their cases were archived.

The Breakdown of the Defandants & Cleared Individuals

Those Facing Prosecution:

• Kostas Skrekas, Christos Boukoros, and Maximos Senetakis: Charged (case-by-case) with incitement to breach of trust and incitement to the unlawful management of European funds.
• Katerina Papakosta: Faces the above charges, additionally compounded by incitement to false certification and attempted computer fraud.

Cases Shelved (Archived):

The case files regarding Giannis Kefalogiannis, Kostas Tsiaras, Notis Mitarachi, Dimitris Vartzopoulos, Theofilos Leontaridis, Vasilis Vasiliadis, and Kostas Karamanlis were placed in the archives, as no evidence emerged indicating the commission of any criminal offenses.

Allegations of Direct Interference in EU Funds

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is conducting a series of investigations into an alleged organized fraud scheme involving public officials within OPEKEPE.

On April 24, 2026, the Hellenic Parliament approved the European Chief Prosecutor’s request to lift the parliamentary immunity of 11 sitting MPs. This allowed the EPPO to advance its investigations into acts allegedly committed in 2021, gathering both incriminating and exculpatory evidence.

According to the EPPO, the probes uncovered common patterns of corruption in the management of European agricultural funds financed through the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The evidence reportedly indicates illicit interventions in administrative procedures and audits, retroactive data alterations after the completion of mandatory checks, illegal interference in on-site inspections, concealment or alteration of audit findings, and the issuance of false certifications.

Charges Extended to Former OPEKEPE Executives

For these specific investigations, which strictly concern acts allegedly committed during the year 2021, the EPPO is referring the following individuals to trial:

• The former President of OPEKEPE, facing five counts of breach of trust.
• The former General Director of Direct Payments, facing two counts of breach of trust.
• Two former Regional Directors of OPEKEPE, for breach of trust and unlawful management of European funds.

Political Staff and Subsidy Beneficiaries Headed to Court

The remaining defendants include a staff member from a sitting MP’s political office, an associate of a former minister, a veterinary agency employee, and several agricultural subsidy beneficiaries.

They face misdemeanor charges, including subsidy fraud, attempted computer fraud, and issuing false certifications on public documents. Some are also charged with incitement to offenses allegedly committed by high-ranking agency executives.

If convicted, the defendants face prison sentences of up to five years, along with the monetary fines stipulated by Greek legislation.

Ongoing Investigations and the Presumption of Innocence

The charges against seven sitting MPs, as well as two former MPs, were archived due to a lack of sufficient evidence to justify criminal prosecution. The EPPO emphasized that “all available evidence was examined objectively and impartially, giving equal weight to both incriminating and exculpatory elements.”

The process remains ongoing for other individuals still under investigation, including three former MPs. Additionally, further probes are underway regarding alleged acts concerning different calendar years. The EPPO noted that no further information will be released at this time to avoid compromising the outcome of the ongoing investigations.

“All individuals involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a final judgment from the competent Greek courts,” the European Public Prosecutor’s Office concluded. The EPPO operates as the independent public prosecution office of the European Union, responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.