The prosecutor of Greece’s Supreme Court has launched an inquiry into alleged mismanagement of EU Funds given to Greece for handling the migration crisis. The investigation follows reports and claims in Greek press.
Supreme Court Public Prosecutor Xeni Dimitriou on Monday ordered the start of a preliminary investigation into press reports about the alleged mismanagement of EU finds given to Greece to cope with the refugee and migration crisis.
Dimitriou has instructed the head of the country’s financial prosecutors Marianna Psaroudaki to investigate whether there is any truth to the allegations and whether there are grounds for the state to prosecute.
Citing sources, Greek state news agency amna report that Psaroudaki has already summoned witnesses to testify, including the head of the migration policy ministry’s reception and identification service, retired Lieutenant General Andreas Iliopoulos. An interview given by Iliopoulos was among the press articles that prompted the launch of the investigation.
Last week, Andreas Iliopoulos said in an interview with newspaper Fileleftheros “It is time that prosecutors intervene. They will see whether there have been violations of the laws and it will be up to them for further investigation. I say things are out of control. Chaos prevails right now.”
Iliopoulos claims came amid media reports about bad management of EU Funds for refugees and migrants by the Greek Defense Ministry and an investigation conducted by EU’s Anti-Fraud agency OLAF.
Right after the interview was published, the retired Lieut. General was fired by the Minister of Migration who gave his own interpretation of the events.