The case file lists 15 MPs — 13 from the ruling New Democracy (ND), and one each from the opposition Pasok and Syriza parties — along with regional officials and former agency executives.
Brazen conversations
Prosecutors ordered wiretaps on the phones of OPEKEPE officials, among others, with the case file containing numerous shockingly audacious conversations. These include senior officials discussing ways to remove European prosecutors from the probe and MPs seeking favors for their constituents.
The file also features the testimonies of two former OPEKEPE presidents, Grigoris Varras and Evangelos Simandrakos, who were dismissed by Avgenakis and Voridis for attempting to block payments in fraudulent cases. The ministers pressed them to proceed with the payments, according to the file.
“Numerous transcribed conversations in the case file demonstrate the actions of criminal groups aiming to illegally acquire subsidies, as well as undermine and obstruct key audits that could have prevented the fraud,” EPPO states in a referral note, as reported by officials familiar with it.
“The request for the resignation of [former OPEKEPE president Grigoris] Varras appears to have interrupted the consolidation of the necessary procedures and allowed these groups to persist in their activities without interference,” it added.
Earlier this month, the European Commission imposed a fine of about €400 million on Greece for mishandling EU farm funding and inadequate controls.
According to Greek and EU agriculture officials, more fines are anticipated. Greece’s government announced it will close OPEKEPE by the next year, with farm payments to be managed by the Independent Authority for Public Revenues.
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