ATHENS, April 1 (Reuters) - The European Chief Prosecutor on Wednesday asked Greece to lift the immunity of 11 lawmakers to allow an investigation into their role in a farm aid fraud scandal which has
EU seeks lifting of Greek lawmakers' immunity over farm aid fraud
Investigation into Greek Farm Aid Fraud and Political Implications
ATHENS, April 1 (Reuters) - The European Chief Prosecutor on Wednesday asked Greece to lift the immunity of 11 lawmakers to allow an investigation into their role in a farm aid fraud scandal which has sparked political resignations and drawn a hefty EU fine.
Background of the Farm Aid Fraud Scandal
European prosecutors last year charged dozens of Greek stockbreeders for faking ownership of pastureland and livestock to receive millions of euros in EU financial aid.
The EU in June also fined Greece 392 million euros ($455 million) over the OPEKEPE agency's mismanagement of the subsidies between 2016 and 2023. The agency handles more than 2 billion euros in annual EU farm aid.
Political Fallout and Resignations
A minister and four senior officials of the centre-right government of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis have resigned over their alleged role in the scandal, which has led to a parliamentary probe.
Request to Lift Lawmakers' Immunity
Details of the Prosecutor's Request
LIFTING LAWMAKERS' IMMUNITY TO ALLOW PROBE TO PROCEED
In a new development on Wednesday, the European Chief Prosecutor asked the Greek parliament to lift the immunity of 11 active lawmakers, enabling it to progress with the investigation and "to establish the facts, while searching for inculpatory as well as exculpatory evidence," the prosecutor's office said.
A source close to the investigation said the lawmakers were members of the ruling, centre-right New Democracy party.
The Prosecutor did not name the lawmakers, adding that information was passed to parliament indicating possible involvement of a former rural development minister and his deputy.
The Role of the European Public Prosecutor's Office
The European Public Prosecutor's Office is an independent office of the European Union.
Scope and Potential Impact of the Investigation
Alleged Crimes and Ongoing Probes
The probe relates to alleged crimes against the EU's financial interests in 2021, including instigation of breach of trust, computer fraud and false attestation with the intent to obtain an unlawful benefit, the statement said.
The latest investigation could have political ramifications, as any ministers involved in the probe were likely to be replaced, analysts said.
Government and Parliamentary Responses
Greek government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said EPPO's statement was "a serious development" and the government would assess each case once parliament receives the file.
A separate parliamentary probe into the scandal wrapped up this year but ended in political deadlock due to competing findings by the political parties.
Several probes into the alleged role of OPEKEPE officials remain ongoing, the prosecutor’s statement said.
Additional Information
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(Reporting by Yannis Souliotis; Additional reporting Renee Maltezou; Writing by Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Joe Bavier)
