The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Athens, Greece, has taken decisive action by filing indictments in the Court of First Instance against 100 suspects embroiled in a sophisticated web of agricultural funds fraud. This elaborate scheme has inflicted a significant blow to the European Union budget, with estimated damages reaching a striking €2.9 million.
The case revolves around three separate indictments that emerged from extensive investigations into fraudulent schemes designed to deceive the EU and secure unwarranted subsidies for pastureland use.
Between 2017 and 2020, a group of stockbreeders, predominantly from the sun-drenched island of Crete, successfully submitted applications for these vital EU agricultural funds intended to bolster the sector. The funds were managed by OPEKEPE, the Greek Payment Authority for Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Aid Schemes, which oversees resources from both the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund (EAGF) and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).
As the investigation unfolded, it revealed a shocking reality: many suspects had submitted false declarations of land ownership or fabricated lease contracts for plots that, in truth, they didn’t own or lease. Furthermore, many resided far from the lands they claimed in their applications, creating a stark contrast between their purported agricultural activities and their actual locations.
The first wave of indictments came on 18 February 2025, with 64 individuals (56 suspected perpetrators and eight alleged accomplices) facing serious charges. This compelling case is set to unfold in the national court on 16 May 2025.
Another 22 individuals (16 suspected perpetrators and six accomplices) were indicted in January 2025, with a critical discussion scheduled for 24 March 2025. Additionally, 14 other suspects (8 charged as perpetrators and six as accomplices) were charged in the previous year, with their courtroom proceedings slated for 30 May 2025.
Should these individuals be found guilty, they risk facing sentences of up to five years in prison and hefty fines. The dedicated efforts of the Financial Crimes Prosecution Department of the Hellenic Police, part of the Directorate for Combating Organised Crime, bolstered the investigations.
It is essential to remember that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a competent Greek court of law. The EPPO is the vigilant guardian of the European Union’s financial interests, an independent public prosecution office committed to investigating, prosecuting, and ensuring justice for crimes targeting the EU’s economic well-being.
