OPEKEPE case: Former minister and deputy minister implicated – Immunity lift sought for 11 MPs

The second case file on OPEKEPE has been forwarded to the Supreme Court by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.

According to information, the case concerns a former minister, a former deputy minister, and 11 sitting MPs, most of whom belong to the ruling party.

Thus, with regard to the minister and the deputy minister, the law on ministerial responsibility is triggered, and the case file is expected to be forwarded to Parliament for further action.

For the 11 MPs, the lifting of their parliamentary immunity is being requested so that they may provide explanations במסגרת the investigation.

At the same time, the investigation continues into political and non-political figures, including five former MPs.

The announcement of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office

“Today, in accordance with the procedures provided for by the Regulation of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) and Greek national law, the European Chief Prosecutor requested from the Hellenic Parliament the lifting of immunity of 11 sitting members of parliament, as part of an investigation into an alleged organised fraud scheme involving agricultural funds. Five former MPs are also under investigation. At the same time, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Athens has transmitted to Parliament information regarding the possible involvement of a former Minister and a Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food.

As already reported, the EPPO is conducting several ongoing investigations into an alleged organised fraud network involving public officials of the Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aids (OPEKEPE). Today’s request for the lifting of immunity concerns acts allegedly committed in 2021.

In order for the EPPO to proceed with the investigation and establish the factual circumstances, seeking both incriminating and exculpatory evidence, the European Chief Prosecutor today requested, in accordance with Article 29 of the EPPO Regulation, the lifting of immunity of 11 sitting MPs.

The investigation concerns alleged felonies and misdemeanours against the financial interests of the European Union, specifically incitement to breach of trust, computer fraud, and false certification aimed at obtaining unlawful benefit for a third party.

In addition, information has emerged regarding the possible involvement in the scheme of a former Minister of Rural Development and Food and his Deputy Minister, during the exercise of their duties. However, Article 86 of the Greek Constitution provides that if, during an investigation, evidence arises relating to offences that may have been committed by ministers in the exercise of their duties, even if they have left office, these must be transmitted without delay to Parliament. This makes it impossible for the EPPO to fully exercise its competences and obliges it to separate its ongoing investigation as regards the possible criminal liability of members of the Greek government.

For the time being, no further details will be provided so as not to jeopardise the outcome of the ongoing proceedings.

All persons involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty by the competent Greek courts.

The EPPO is the independent prosecution office of the European Union, responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and bringing to judgment crimes affecting the financial interests of the EU.”