Greek New Democracy MPs face EPPO charges over OPEKEPE subsidy scandal

The European Public Prosecutor Office (EPPO) announced criminal proceedings against 22 individuals in connection with alleged fraud involving EU agricultural subsidies managed by the OPEKEPE agency. Four sitting members of parliament from the ruling New Democracy party – Kostas Skrekas, Katérina Papakosta, Christos Mpourkós and Maximos Sentákis – are among those charged with offences such as ethical facilitation in breach of trust and illegal management of EU funds; one of them also faces accusations of falsifying documents and attempted computer fraud.

Parliamentary immunity was lifted for 11 MPs, allowing the EPPO to pursue the cases. The investigations also led to the archiving of the cases of seven other New Democracy MPs after they requested the closure. Former OPEKEPE officials, including the former agency president and senior directors, are also under prosecution.

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said the presumption of innocence must be respected and urged the opposition to apologise for accusing the government of “governing criminals”. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and other officials defended the government’s handling of the matter, while the accused MPs have publicly proclaimed their innocence and called for a swift trial.