EPPO escalates investigation into agricultural subsidy scandal

File photo.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has intensified its probe into the fraudulent organisation of cultivation subsidies successful Greece, referring a 2nd large lawsuit record to the country’s Supreme Court (Areios Pagos) connected Wednesday for transmission to Parliament.

The caller dossier targets 11 sitting members of Parliament and two erstwhile high-ranking authorities officials – a erstwhile curate and a erstwhile lawman curate – marking a important escalation successful a ungraded involving OPEKEPE, the state bureau that managed billions successful European Union farming funds.

EPPO has formally requested the lifting of parliamentary immunity for the 11 lawmakers to let transgression prosecution. 

Parliament is expected to person the record successful the coming days, putting unit connected enactment leaders to determine whether to shield their members oregon let the European-led prosecution to proceed.

The OPEKEPE probe has been a absorption of European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kovesi, whose tenure ends successful October.

This 2nd signifier follows months of scrutiny that uncovered widespread irregularities, including subsidies paid for pastures located connected upland peaks, archaeological sites, and adjacent subject installations.