Each time authorities at the agency tried to take action to dismantle the scam, they were forced out by the agriculture minister of the day.
An EPPO statement confirmed POLITICO’s reporting that the suspects submitted false declarations of ownership or falsified lease contracts of plots of land, which in reality they did not own or had not leased. Most of the perpetrators were from the island of Crete, but they claimed subsidies for land all over the country.
If found guilty, the suspects face up to five years’ imprisonment and a fine, EPPO said.
Sixty-four individuals were indicted on Feb. 18 and their case will be heard in court on May 16. Another 22 individuals were indicted in January and will face trial on March 24. Finally, 14 other suspects were charged last year and their trial is scheduled for May 30.
The scheme has come to light ahead of crunch discussions later this year on setting a new medium-term EU budget running from 2028 to 2034. How money is spent under the Common Agricultural Policy, which accounts for a third of the EU budget, will be a major focus of the talks.
