Three suspects were remanded in custody after the conclusion of testimonies late on Monday. More than a dozen individuals from Kozani and Agrinio, northern and western Greece respectively, were questioned and were accused of involvement in the OPEKEPE scandal of EU agricultural funds.
The suspects allegedly orchestrated a scheme to fraudulently receive subsidies from OPEKEPE, the Greek payment authority for EU agricultural aid, between 2019 and 2024.
Acting on the decision of a European Examining Magistrate and European Prosecutor, authorities ordered the jailing on remand of the alleged leader of the criminal organization, a second individual linked to a specific Declarations Submission Centre and one farmer.
The remaining nine defendants examined on Monday, along with two others who had testified on Friday, were released, though some were barred from leaving the country and bail ranging from 5,000 euros to 15,000 euros was imposed.
Fourteen suspects were arrested and brought before the European Public Prosecutor’s Office last Friday in connection with the case. Two of them – the parents of the alleged ringleader – appeared before the examining magistrate the same day due to their advanced age. They were released on bail of 10,000 euros each and barred from leaving the country.
Investigation on OPEKEPE scandal continue in Greece following pressure by the EU Public Prosecutor’s Office.
