The European Public Prosecutor’s Office on Wednesday asked Greece to lift the immunity of 11 MEPs to enable an investigation into their role in an agricultural subsidy fraud scandal that has led to political resignations and a heavy EU fine.
European prosecutors last year charged dozens of Greek farmers with falsifying land and livestock ownership records in order to obtain millions of euros in financial aid from the European Union.
In June, the EU also fined Greece 392 million euros for poor management of subsidies by the OPEC agency during the period 2016–2023. This agency manages over 2 billion euros in annual agricultural aid from the EU.
A minister and four senior officials from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ center-right government resigned over their alleged role in the scandal, which has led to a parliamentary investigation.
According to new developments on Wednesday, the European Chief Prosecutor has asked the Greek parliament to lift the immunity of 11 active lawmakers, in order to advance the investigation.
The investigation relates to suspicions of criminal offences against the EU’s financial interests in 2021, including incitement to breach of trust, computer fraud and false statements with the aim of unlawful gain, according to the statement.
The prosecutor did not give the names of the lawmakers, but information passed to Parliament indicates the possible involvement of a former minister for rural development and his deputy.
