EU Prosecutors Indict Four Greek Lawmakers in Multimillion-Euro Farm Subsidy Fraud

On July 16, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) indicted 22 individuals, including four sitting members of Greece’s New Democracy party, for alleged involvement in a scheme that misused EU agricultural subsidies. The charges relate to acts committed in 2021 and encompass abuse of trust, unlawful management of EU funds, false attestation and attempted computer fraud. EPPO dismissed allegations against seven other deputies for lack of evidence. If convicted, the defendants face up to five years in prison and fines.

The Straits TimesEU prosecutors indict 4 Greek lawmakers in farm aid scandal

The scandal centers on the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy, which shifted subsidy calculations to land ownership in 2014. An incomplete Greek land registry allowed some farmers to claim subsidies for land they did not own. EPPO estimates the bloc’s losses at more than 19.6 million euros (? $20.9 million); Greek authorities have placed damages at at least 23 million euros. The majority of fraudulent payments were directed to Crete, where 80 percent of pasture subsidies granted between 2017 and 2020 were allocated, and where OPEKEPE recorded 13,000 new farmers and a doubling of declared sheep and goats between 2019 and 2025.

EU prosecutors indict 4 Greek lawmakers in farm aid scandal

Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis emphasized that the four deputies are “presumed innocent until proven guilty.” EPPO’s statement detailed evidence of “unlawful interventions in administrative and inspection procedures, retrospective alterations of data… and false certifications.” Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, whose party leads opinion polls, condemned the EPPO’s actions as interference in domestic politics and pledged to imprison the “thieves” responsible.

EU prosecutors indict 4 Greek lawmakers in farm aid scandal

Mitsotakis accused the EPPO of “getting involved in domestic party competition” ahead of the upcoming election year, suggesting the investigation could be used to sway political outcomes. Opposition voices have highlighted the scandal’s impact on public trust in the ruling party, which has faced multiple ministerial resignations linked to the fraud.

EU prosecutors indict 4 Greek lawmakers in farm aid scandal

• “seems to be getting involved in domestic party competition” — Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Prime Minister of Greece

EU prosecutors indict 4 Greek lawmakers in farm aid scandal

• “Who is going to apologize today for this wretchedness,” that saw “honorable politicians” smeared,” — Kyriakos Mitsotakis

EU prosecutors indict 4 Greek lawmakers in farm aid scandal

• “indicates, among other things, unlawful interventions in administrative and inspection procedures, retrospective alterations of data following the completion of mandatory controls, unlawful interference with on-the-spot inspections, the concealment and manipulation of inspection findings, and false certifications.” — European Public Prosecutor’s Office

EU prosecutors indict 4 Greek lawmakers in farm aid scandal

• “instigation to commit abuse of trust, instigation to unlawful management of EU funds, and instigation to false attestation and attempted computer fraud,” — European Public Prosecutor’s Office

EU prosecutors indict 4 Greek lawmakers in farm aid scandal