A massive 3,000-page dossier submitted to the Greek Parliament by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has revealed a sprawling scandal involving illegal agricultural subsidies managed by OPEKEPE, Greece’s Payment and Control Agency for Community Aid.The dossier implicates not only two former Ministers of Rural Development, Makis Voridis and Lefteris Avgenakis, but also members of parliament from both the ruling party and the opposition, exposing a web of illicit arrangements to secure unlawful subsidies for grazing lands.
According to sources, the dossier contains explosive evidence, including witness testimonies, intercepted conversations, and official decisions that detail the involvement of Voridis and Avgenakis. Legally authorised wiretaps conducted by the EPPO’s Greek branch uncovered dozens of conversations discussing the allocation of non-compliant subsidies, revealing a systematic effort to manipulate the system for personal or political gain.
Among the key revelations are testimonies from former OPEKEPE presidents who were reportedly ousted for attempting to reform the organisation. One such figure, Grigoris Varras, was removed during Voridis’ tenure as minister after trying to bring order to the agency’s chaotic operations, according to his deposition. These accounts highlight a culture of interference that allegedly undermined efforts to clean up the subsidy system.
The dossier’s extensive documentation, which includes technical details of the subsidy scandal, has sparked calls for thorough parliamentary scrutiny. Legal and political sources indicate that the evidence, including incriminating dialogues and allegations of favoritism, will require careful analysis to determine the next steps, potentially leading to a formal parliamentary investigation.
As political parties begin reviewing the dossier, the revelations are expected to fuel intense debate in Greece’s Parliament, with far-reaching implications for the country’s political landscape and its agricultural sector. The scandal underscores ongoing concerns about transparency and accountability in the management of EU-funded subsidies, drawing international attention as Greece navigates its commitments to European oversight.
Source: pagenews.gr