EU Prosecutor: “OPEKEPE is acronym for corruption, nepotism and clientelism.”

European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kοvesi did not mince her words on Thursday, during press conference at the side of the Delphi Forum.

Kovesi who has been investigating the fraud with EU agricultural subsidies via the local distribution agency and requested the lifting of the parliamentary immunity of 13 New Democracy MPs incl. former ministers, said that the agency OPEKEPE is “an acronym for corruption, nepotism and clientelism.”

She rejected criticism from some Greek politicians over the EPPO’s decision to request the lifting of immunity of ruling governing New Democracy lawmakers’ immunity from prosecution in three installments, instead of doing it all in one go.

Asked to comment on some ND lawmakers’ arguments that they are being investigated for simply forwarding the concerns of their constituents, Kovesi was uncompromising.

“Corruption, abuse of power, fraud, trading of influence … are defined as a crime in the Greek law,” she said. “Okay? So no one in the world will convince me that these categories are part of [the] job description of politicians here in Greece or somewhere in the EU.”

When asked whether she felt the EPPO was being antagonized by Greece’s government, authorities or politicians, Kovesi replied: “I don’t think so.”

She said she agreed with PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ call for a fast-tracking of the probe involving politicians.

“He’s right,” she said. “We have to finish this investigation very fast because there is a high expectation for the public to clarify what happened. But everyone has to understand that we are humans.”

“Up to now, in this investigation, we have only one police officer who worked with our two prosecutors, three people, who [have] to assess thousands of documents. They have to listen to hundreds of wiretappings. It’s not easy,” she said.

She stressed that no country could be defined as free of corruption and it was encouraging that cases are being investigated rather than being swept under the carpet.

“This year we have double the new cases registered in Greece because a lot of citizens sent complaints to us,” she said. “This is a good sign. They trust in what we are doing.”

Laura Kovesi reportedly made also a reference to newly resigned Deputy Rural Development Minister Makarios Lazaridis.

“If someone commits fraud in Greece, they return the money and go free. How is this possible?” she asked, expressing concern about the institutional framework in our country.

PS She might be dedicated to her duties, however, Kovesi’s words and criticism do not touch the skin of Greek politicians. During their speeches at the Parliament’s Plenary before the vote for lifting their immunity on Wednesday, with the exception of one, they all reportedly appeared with a common defensive line, which centered around the duties of the MP thus fully defending themselves for their actions.

What it appears unable to penetrate their brain cells is the fact that when they make a favor or intervention to the request of one of their voters they enhance their already existing clientele-relationship, securing the votes of the voter & his family, increasing chances for their re-election.

And this is at the expense of any citizen who has no connections with members of the ruling party.