Today, in accordance with the procedures set out in the Regulation on the Public Prosecutor's Office and Greek national legislation, the European Prosecutor General requested from the Hellenic Parliament the lifting of the immunity of 11 sitting MPs in the context of an investigation into an alleged organised fraud scheme involving agricultural funds (OPEKEPE).
Five former members of parliament are also under investigation. In parallel, the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) in Athens (Greece) referred information to the Greek Parliament regarding the alleged involvement of a former Minister and a Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food.
The EPPO is conducting several investigations into an alleged organised fraud scheme involving civil servants of the Greek Payment and Control Agency for Community Aid, Guidance and Guarantee Funds (OPEKEPE). Today's request for lifting immunity concerns acts allegedly committed in 2021.
In order for the EPPO to be able to proceed with this investigation and establish the facts, while seeking incriminating as well as exculpatory evidence, the European Public Prosecutor has today requested, in accordance with Article 29 of the EPPO Rules of Procedure, the waiver of the immunity of 11 current Members of Parliament.
The investigation concerns alleged felonies and misdemeanors against the financial interests of the EU, namely incitement to breach of trust, computer fraud and false declaration with the aim of obtaining an unlawful advantage for third parties.
Although the press releases will range from very select to rare, I said I'd pass...because sometimes the editors hide.
