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🇬🇷 Greece /Crime & Justice

Crete: Police operation targets OPEKEPE fraud; 20 arrested, transferred to European Prosecutor's Office

From Ta Nea · () Greek

Translated from Greek and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Greek authorities have arrested 20 individuals in Crete in connection with a scheme involving illegal subsidies through false or fictitious declarations to the Organization for Agricultural Payments and Control (OPEKEPE).
  • The suspects, including accountants and center managers, allegedly caused damages exceeding 3 million euros.
  • The case has been transferred to the European Public Prosecutor's Office in Athens, with the investigation ongoing.

A large-scale operation by the Hellenic Police in Crete has led to the arrest of 20 individuals implicated in a sophisticated fraud scheme targeting agricultural subsidies. The suspects are accused of submitting false or fictitious declarations to the Organization for Agricultural Payments and Control (OPEKEPE) to illegally obtain funds, causing an estimated damage of over 3 million euros.

The arrests occurred in various areas of Rethymno, Heraklion, and Lasithi. Among those detained are two accountants and three managers from Declaration Reception Centers (KYD). Local media also reported the involvement of a currently serving deputy mayor, adding a significant political dimension to the case.

All 20 who have been brought in and arrested will be transferred to the European Public Prosecutor's Office. The Heraklion District Prosecutor's Office has no jurisdiction, as the entire preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime at the behest of the European Public Prosecutor, so we will be transferred to Athens in the next 24 hours to file criminal charges, likely for felony offenses.

· Giorgos KokosalisDefense attorney Giorgos Kokosalis explained the legal process and jurisdiction for the arrested individuals.

Defense attorney Giorgos Kokosalis confirmed that all 20 arrested individuals will be transferred to the European Public Prosecutor's Office in Athens. He explained that the Heraklion District Prosecutor's Office lacks jurisdiction, as the preliminary investigation is being conducted by the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime under the mandate of the European Public Prosecutor. Kokosalis anticipates that criminal charges, likely for felony offenses, will be filed within the next 24 hours.

Kokosalis criticized the handling of the operation, noting that the accused are well-known local residents who posed no flight risk, given the investigation has been ongoing for some time. He also pointed out that the investigations cover the period from 2019 onwards due to statutes of limitations, and the case file is still in its early stages, with electronic copies expected to be provided to the defense lawyers soon.

The OPEKEPE case will be a subject of discussion for a long time.

· Giorgos KokosalisDefense attorney Giorgos Kokosalis commented on the expected duration and complexity of the case.
About this summary

Originally published by Ta Nea in Greek. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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