The Financial Police, accompanied by a team from the Forensic Investigation Directorate, raided the OPEKEPE offices for the 2025 records.
In the context of the preliminary investigation ordered by the prosecutor's office, the Financial Police is conducting a new search at OPEKEPE. The goal, according to reports, is to seize the records of the 2025 applications. The search is being conducted together with the Forensic Investigation Directorate. According to information, the Authorities proceeded with the seizure of records of applications for 2025 subsidies in order to conduct cross-checks and controls as part of the preliminary investigation underway. The Greek investigation has been undertaken by the Financial Police on the orders of prosecutor Dim. Gkyzis, who oversees the Greek FBI, with the aim of identifying criminal organisations regarding OPEKEPE agricultural subsidies.
What preceded this
A surprise raid on the OPEKEPE offices in Athens was carried out earlier on October 13 by a team from OLAF, the European Anti-Fraud Office. The inspectors requested various documents concerning the organisation's operation, its organisational chart, and contracts signed by OPEKEPE.
The Vourliotis investigation
The independent Authority is investigating potential phenomena of illegal enrichment and money laundering from criminal activities, meticulously examining the subsidy records already in the hands of AADE (Independent Authority for Public Revenue). The cross-check of assets and declared income with the amounts disbursed will be the key tool for detecting suspicious money trails. The focus is on OPEKEPE executives, auditors, administrative staff, and intermediaries, in addition to the recipient farmers, and if there are indications of the involvement of political figures, they will also be investigated. The checks will cover a period of five to ten years, analysing when, where, and with what criteria the EU aid was granted, while the immediate imposition of restraints on the assets of those deemed to have gained unfair financial benefit is not excluded. The case is also being investigated in parallel by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), with which the Authority institutionally cooperates through a memorandum of understanding signed in Luxembourg. The head of EPPO, Kovesi, and Mr. Vourliotis have set transparency in the management of European funds as a common priority. However, shadows are cast on the work of the auditing authorities by the recent malicious attempted cyberattack on the Authority's website, with officials considering the possibility that this is linked to an attempt to obstruct the investigation or steal critical data. The OPEKEPE subsidies case is now acquiring dimensions of broader institutional responsibility and a possible political dimension, with the Authority's next moves being judged as decisive for the outcome of the investigation.
The OPEKEPE scandal is frightening Maximos Mansion
Meanwhile, the second file of the OPEKEPE scandal that is about to reach Parliament is causing intense concern at the prime ministerial staff, as it remains unclear which individuals may be involved. This is also the reason why, according to information, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis temporarily froze the cabinet reshuffle. A wrong choice at this moment — of a person who may be involved — could derail the government's reorganisation plan. Furthermore, those at Maximos Mansion know that reshuffles, in most cases, create more problems than they solve. However, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will hardly avoid it, as pressure from "difficult" constituencies is increasing. It is not ruled out, however, that a new cycle of parliamentary candidates will be announced within the next few days — including the names of Yiannis Papageorgiou (A' Thessaloniki), Alexandra Sdoukou (Grevena), and Marios Themistocleous (East Attica) — individuals with the Prime Minister's support.
www.bankingnews.gr
What preceded this
A surprise raid on the OPEKEPE offices in Athens was carried out earlier on October 13 by a team from OLAF, the European Anti-Fraud Office. The inspectors requested various documents concerning the organisation's operation, its organisational chart, and contracts signed by OPEKEPE.
The Vourliotis investigation
The independent Authority is investigating potential phenomena of illegal enrichment and money laundering from criminal activities, meticulously examining the subsidy records already in the hands of AADE (Independent Authority for Public Revenue). The cross-check of assets and declared income with the amounts disbursed will be the key tool for detecting suspicious money trails. The focus is on OPEKEPE executives, auditors, administrative staff, and intermediaries, in addition to the recipient farmers, and if there are indications of the involvement of political figures, they will also be investigated. The checks will cover a period of five to ten years, analysing when, where, and with what criteria the EU aid was granted, while the immediate imposition of restraints on the assets of those deemed to have gained unfair financial benefit is not excluded. The case is also being investigated in parallel by the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), with which the Authority institutionally cooperates through a memorandum of understanding signed in Luxembourg. The head of EPPO, Kovesi, and Mr. Vourliotis have set transparency in the management of European funds as a common priority. However, shadows are cast on the work of the auditing authorities by the recent malicious attempted cyberattack on the Authority's website, with officials considering the possibility that this is linked to an attempt to obstruct the investigation or steal critical data. The OPEKEPE subsidies case is now acquiring dimensions of broader institutional responsibility and a possible political dimension, with the Authority's next moves being judged as decisive for the outcome of the investigation.
The OPEKEPE scandal is frightening Maximos Mansion
Meanwhile, the second file of the OPEKEPE scandal that is about to reach Parliament is causing intense concern at the prime ministerial staff, as it remains unclear which individuals may be involved. This is also the reason why, according to information, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis temporarily froze the cabinet reshuffle. A wrong choice at this moment — of a person who may be involved — could derail the government's reorganisation plan. Furthermore, those at Maximos Mansion know that reshuffles, in most cases, create more problems than they solve. However, Kyriakos Mitsotakis will hardly avoid it, as pressure from "difficult" constituencies is increasing. It is not ruled out, however, that a new cycle of parliamentary candidates will be announced within the next few days — including the names of Yiannis Papageorgiou (A' Thessaloniki), Alexandra Sdoukou (Grevena), and Marios Themistocleous (East Attica) — individuals with the Prime Minister's support.
www.bankingnews.gr
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