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4 Greek MPs charged over multimillion EU farm fraud scandal

European prosecutors say Greek state employees and politicians helped dozens of farmers scam the EU out of over US$22.5 million in subsidies

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A farmer lets his sheep out from the pen on the island of Astypalaia, Greece, on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Reuters
Four acting members of Greece’s parliament were among ⁠22 people indicted ⁠on Thursday by the European Public ⁠Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) over an investigation into alleged farm fraud that has rocked the country’s government.
Last year, European prosecutors charged dozens of Greek stockbreeders with faking ownership of grazing land and exaggerating the number of animals on farms to claim EU subsidies with the alleged help of state employees and conservative politicians.

Some people receiving payments had no link to agriculture.

EPPO has estimated the bloc’s losses from the alleged scheme at more than €19.6 million (US$22.5 million), while Greek authorities last year put damages at a minimum of €23 million.

Greek farmers protest in front of parliament in Athens to demand financial help from the government as cost of living spikes on February 20, 2024. Photo: AP
Greek farmers protest in front of parliament in Athens to demand financial help from the government as cost of living spikes on February 20, 2024. Photo: AP

The scandal has prompted ministers’ resignations and inconclusive parliamentary inquiries. The EU has also fined Greece over the misuse of the funds between 2016 and 2023 by government agency OPEKEPE, which handles the subsidies and payments.

EPPO said in a statement ⁠it was indicting four acting members of parliament over acts allegedly committed in 2021. They ‌include abuse of trust, unlawful management of EU funds, false attestation, and attempted computer fraud.

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