Greek police detain 20 in Crete over €3 million EU farm subsidy fraud

Greek police on the island of Crete arrested 20 people suspected of running an organised network that defrauded the European Union of more than €3 million in agricultural subsidies. The suspects included two accountants and several state employees who helped farmers submit false land and livestock declarations to obtain EU funds. The scheme, which began in 2019, is part of a wider investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office into alleged crimes against EU financial interests in Greece.

The operation follows earlier cases in which Greek stock‑breeders were accused of fabricating grazing‑land ownership, prompting parliamentary probes, ministerial resignations and calls for early elections. In April, parliament lifted the immunity of 13 New Democracy lawmakers to allow prosecutors to investigate their possible involvement. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has pressed EU prosecutors to act quickly as the scandal looms over the next parliamentary election due by spring 2027.