The case file concerning OPEKEPE is being forwarded by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) to the Greek Parliament for the investigation of potential criminal offenses by two former Ministers of Rural Development, Makis Voridis and Lefteris Avgenakis. Below is a detailed statement from the EPPO.
Both former ministers have publicly responded. Makis Voridis firmly declared that he has committed no criminal offense, while Lefteris Avgenakis emphasized that all citizens are equal before the law.
At this stage, the case file has not yet reached Parliament. According to procedure, it will first be sent to the Supreme Court (Areios Pagos), which will then forward it to the Ministry of Justice, and ultimately to the Parliament.
Επί της προς διαβίβαση δικογραφίας του ΟΠΕΚΕΠΕ στη Βουλή και της φημολογούμενης εμπλοκής του ονόματος μου σε αυτήν:
— Makis Voridis (@MakisVoridis) June 19, 2025
Επειδή γνωρίζω πολύ καλά τι έχω πράξει ως Υπουργός Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης, δεν χρειάζεται να περιμένω να μάθω τι διαλαμβάνει η ως άνω δικογραφία.
Ουδεμια αξιόποινη…
Makis Voridis denied any involvement in the case, issuing an initial statement via social media:
“Since I know very well what I have done as Minister of Rural Development, I don’t need to wait to find out what this case file contains. I have committed no criminal offense in the exercise of my duties,” he stated, adding:
“That’s all for now. I will comment further once I have reviewed the file.”
Lefteris Avgenakis, also via social media, wrote:
“We are all equal before the law.”
He further stated:
“As Minister of Rural Development and Food, I carried out my duties with transparency and conscientiousness. Justice must do its work independently. We are all equal before the law.”
What the European Public Prosecutor’s Office Says
According to EPPO, the investigation involves an alleged scheme of fraud involving agricultural funds and corruption, in which employees of OPEKEPE (the Greek Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid) are implicated. During the investigation, EPPO uncovered indications that two former ministers may also be involved in the subsidy scandal.
The forwarding of the file to Parliament is based on Article 86 of the Greek Constitution, which stipulates that if evidence emerges during an investigation pointing to possible offenses committed by ministers during their term in office, that information must be forwarded to the Hellenic Parliament. As a result, the prosecution has separated the case.
Sources say the case file contains material collected during EPPO’s investigation that suggests the crime of breach of trust (embezzlement) may have been committed in the course of the former ministers’ official duties. However, prosecutors make no assessment of the evidence in the forwarding document—they simply refer the case to Parliament for further action.
EPPO also expressed concern that Greek laws on ministerial responsibility limit its jurisdiction, which it views as a violation of its own regulations, and has therefore notified the European Commission.
Official Statement from EPPO
On its official website, EPPO published the following:
“Alleged Misuse of EU Agricultural Funds: EPPO Submits Information to Greek Parliament”
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) in Athens has today forwarded information to the Hellenic Parliament regarding the alleged involvement of two former Ministers of Rural Development and Food in criminal offenses. The Greek Constitution states that only the national Parliament has the power to investigate and prosecute current or former members of the government.
As previously reported, EPPO is conducting an investigation into an alleged organized fraud scheme involving EU agricultural funds and corruption, in which public officials from OPEKEPE are involved. During the investigation, evidence emerged suggesting the possible involvement of two former ministers in facilitating or encouraging the embezzlement (breach of trust) of EU agricultural funds during their time in office.
Under Article 86 of the Greek Constitution, if evidence arises during an investigation indicating that a minister committed offenses while in office—even if they have since left that role—it must be immediately forwarded to Parliament. This provision limits EPPO’s ability to fully carry out its investigation and mandates the separation of any findings concerning potential ministerial responsibility.
EPPO was obliged to comply with the national legislation, which prohibits it from investigating or prosecuting current or former members of the Greek government. However, EPPO believes this restriction limits its mandate in violation of its governing regulation. This matter—concerning the compatibility between EU law and national law—has already been reported to the European Commission.
All individuals involved are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a competent Greek court.
EPPO is the independent prosecution office of the European Union. It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and bringing to judgment crimes against the EU’s financial interests.
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