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5 clusters · 18 sources · 19 days · First seen · Last updated

Categories: POLITICS · CRIME

EPPO investigations into EU fund misuse

Entities: European Public Prosecutor's Office · Thessaloniki Municipality · Greek government · Nikos Chardalias · Niko Chardalias

Overview

In mid‑July 2026 the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) launched high‑profile probes into alleged misuse of EU‑financed programmes. On 14 July it announced criminal proceedings against the Czech conglomerate Agrofert for mishandling about €204 million in agricultural subsidies, following a complaint by the Czech Pirate Party.

A week later EPPO opened a separate investigation in Greece into a procurement scandal involving “recycling kiosks” sold to municipalities at prices far above market rates. The kiosks were allegedly priced at €300,000 each, compared with a €66,000 market value, and the 2020 tender awarded more than 200 units for €83 million. Prosecutors ordered raids on the supplier’s offices, seizing contracts and digital files.

On 27 July EPPO expanded its Greek inquiry to the “recycling houses” scheme in the Attica region, covering alleged over‑pricing in waste‑management equipment and facilities amounting to €350.5 million, two‑thirds of which is financed by burial‑fee levies.

Further developments were reported on 30 July. EPPO seized additional documents and computers from the contractor Antapodotiki Anakyklosi, imposed fines totalling roughly €40 million, and required officials from ministries, regional authorities and municipalities to explain the allocation of public funds. Nicola de Michelis, head of DG Regio at the European Commission, warned that the Greek prices were many times higher than elsewhere in the EU, underscoring persistent concerns over compliance with EU funding rules.

On 1 August EPPO, in coordination with the Greek Court of Auditors, began examining a €84 million contract for 48 recycling‑house units in Thessaloniki awarded to TEHAN at a minimal discount. The probe follows findings of severe overpricing in related tenders across Attica, the Peloponnese and Crete, and adds ten further contracts to the review. Authorities have called for the return of misallocated funds and signalled that the EPPO probe may be broadened further.

Timeline

  1. 3 days ago

    [POLITICS] 3 sources
    Thessaloniki recycling‑house procurement scandal examined by EU prosecutor

    EU prosecutors and Greece’s Court of Auditors are probing a €84 million recycling‑house procurement scandal in Thessaloniki, citing overpricing and opaque contract terms.

  2. 6 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Greek procurement scandal over €300,000 recycling “houses”

    Greek officials awarded over 200 recycling “houses” at €300,000 each, far above market rates. The EU Commission warned of the excess, and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the procurement

  3. 8 days ago

    [POLITICS] 2 sources
    Greek recycling housing scandal draws EU prosecutor probe

    EU prosecutors investigate Greece's Attica recycling‑house scandal over €350 million in alleged over‑priced contracts, drawing criticism of the Mitsotakis government’s waste‑policy spending.

  4. 14 days ago

    [CRIME] 6 sources
    European Prosecutor's Office probes costly recycling kiosks in Greece

    European Prosecutor's Office is investigating a Greek procurement scheme where recycling kiosks were sold at €300,000 each, far above market price, prompting raids on the supplier's offices.

  5. 22 days ago

    [POLITICS] 5 sources
    European Prosecutor Opens Criminal Probe into Agrofert EU Subsidies

    The European Public Prosecutor’s Office has launched a criminal investigation into alleged misuse of EU agricultural subsidies granted to Czech conglomerate Agrofert, following a complaint by the Pirates party.

Sources

agrarszektor.hu · e-vima.gr · elwatan.com · fonimaleviziou.gr · hencse.hu · insider.gr · kreis-elchniederung.de · lawandorder.gr · nenoticias.com.br · neolaia.gr · rethemnosnews.gr · seznamzpravy.cz · tharos.gr · thefaq.gr · thetoc.gr · thrakikiagora.gr · thriassio.gr · tovima.gr

This summary has been updated 2 times: see revision history