OPEKEPE: Second file from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office – Request for waiver of immunity for 11 MEPs

A second case file concerning the OPEKEPE matter has been prepared by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, which announced that it is requesting the lifting of immunity for 11 sitting members of parliament.

Statement from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office

Today (i.e., March 31), in accordance with the procedures defined by the EPPO Regulation and Greek national law, the European Chief Prosecutor requested from the Hellenic Parliament the lifting of immunity for 11 current members of parliament in the context of an investigation into an alleged organized fraud scheme involving agricultural funds. Five former MPs are also under investigation. At the same time, the EPPO in Athens (Greece) referred to the Hellenic Parliament information regarding the alleged involvement of a former Minister and a Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food.

As previously reported, the EPPO is conducting several ongoing investigations into an alleged organized fraud scheme involving public officials of the Hellenic Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid (OPEKEPE). The current request for lifting immunity concerns acts allegedly committed in 2021.

In order for the EPPO to proceed with this investigation and establish the facts, while seeking both incriminating and exculpatory evidence, the European Chief Prosecutor today requested, under Article 29 of the EPPO Regulation, the lifting of immunity for 11 current MPs of the Parliament.

The investigation concerns alleged felonies and misdemeanors against the financial interests of the EU, namely incitement to breach of trust, electronic fraud, and false certification aimed at obtaining unlawful benefits for third parties.

Additionally, information emerged regarding the possible involvement in the fraud scheme of a former Minister of Rural Development and Food and their Deputy while performing their official duties. However, Article 86 of the Greek Constitution stipulates that if evidence arises during an investigation concerning offenses potentially committed by Ministers in the exercise of their duties, even if they subsequently leave office, such evidence must be immediately forwarded to Parliament. This makes it impossible for the EPPO to fully exercise its duties and forces it to separate its ongoing investigation regarding the potential criminal liability of members of the Greek government.

For the time being, no further details will be made public in order not to jeopardize the outcome of the ongoing process.

All individuals involved are considered innocent until proven guilty by the competent Greek courts.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is the independent prosecution authority of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and bringing to justice crimes affecting the EU’s financial interests.