The European Public Prosecutor’s Office has requested the lifting of parliamentary immunity for 11 sitting MPs, including Rural Development Minister Kostas Tsiaras and Civil Protection Minister Ioannis Kefalogiannis, as part of a widening investigation into EU farm aid fraud involving the OPEKEPE agency.
European prosecutors have already charged dozens of Greek livestock breeders accused of falsifying ownership of pastureland and animals to secure millions of euros in EU subsidies.
In a statement, the European prosecutor’s office said the probe concerns offenses against the EU’s financial interests, including incitement to breach of trust, electronic fraud and false certification aimed at third-party gain.
According to information obtained by Kathimerini, the request, besides Tsiaras and Kefalogiannis, also concerns nine additional MPs from the ruling party: Kostas Karamanlis, Kostas Skrekas, Katerina Papakosta, Notis Mitarakis, Dimitris Vartzopoulos, Maximos Senetakis, Vasileios Vasileiadis, Christos Boukoros and Theofilos Leontaridis.
Most of those named did not respond to requests for comment, while others said they were unaware of the request.
The case file concerns alleged offenses dating back to 2021, with the investigation into the OPEKEPE continuing for subsequent years, according to officials.
Five former MPs are also under investigation. Reports indicate that former rural development minister Spilios Livanos and former deputy minister Fotini Arabatzi may be implicated in actions taken during their tenure.
Under the Greek Constitution, if, during the course of an investigation, evidence emerges indicating possible offenses committed by ministers in the exercise of their duties, even if they no longer hold office, such evidence must be promptly forwarded to Parliament.
The case has already prompted political fallout, with a minister and four senior officials in the government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis resigning amid the ongoing probe, which has also triggered a parliamentary investigation.
