The case file compiled by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office regarding OPEKEPE exceeds 3,000 pages and was forwarded to Parliament on Wednesday afternoon. According to reports, the file is accompanied by a 34-page document summarizing the case, prepared by Popi Papandreou, the competent officer of the European Prosecutor’s Office. This document notes, among other things, that the case file is being forwarded to Parliament for investigation into possible offenses of breach of trust and complicity in breach of trust by former Ministers of Rural Development and Food Makis Voridis (2019-2021) and Lefteris Avgenakis (2023-2024). Papandreou is said to urge the national assembly to proceed swiftly, highlighting the risk of statute of limitations applying to potential offenses committed in 2019 before the constitutional revision that abolished the short limitation period.

The 34-page summary, resembling a prosecutorial order, also includes excerpts of conversations recorded by the National Intelligence Service (EYP) as part of legally authorized wiretaps for the purposes of the investigation.

Sources indicate that the authorities monitored the phones of OPEKEPE officials and recorded all their conversations. Among these were contacts with MPs from New Democracy (10–12 MPs), and at least one from PASOK and SYRIZA. In all cases, MPs were reportedly heard requesting favors for voter-producers or livestock breeders, though it remains unclear whether these requests involved legitimate claims or irregular payments.

Government sources, reacting shortly after the file was forwarded to Parliament, stressed that the Prime Minister’s priority is the full correction of long-standing dysfunctions in OPEKEPE’s operations. Regarding possible criminal responsibilities, they noted that the massive file must first be studied carefully to determine if even basic indications exist.

“The absolute priority of the Prime Minister was and remains the full correction of long-standing dysfunctions in OPEKEPE’s operations. In this direction, as of 2024, OPEKEPE’s accreditation has been placed under supervision by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, accompanied by a specific roadmap to ensure transparency and fairness in payments,” government sources stated. They added: “Furthermore, the abolition of OPEKEPE has been announced and is underway, through the integration of its payment and control functions into the Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE). The independence and significant achievements of AADE ensure the reform of the agricultural aid and payment system in favor of the primary sector and the country. In the same spirit of full transparency and in line with the government’s consistent position, the case file forwarded today to Parliament, regarding the investigation of potential criminal responsibilities in connection with the ongoing inquiry of the European Prosecutor’s Office, will be thoroughly examined for further assessment.”

Access to MPs today

According to the Parliament’s secretariat, the case file has been photocopied in at least three copies and transferred to room “168” of the Parliament so that MPs can access and study it starting from 9 a.m. today. It is noted that for a preliminary inquiry committee to be formed, a motion signed by at least 30 MPs is required, along with approval by at least 151 MPs.