A new development has been recorded in the case of agricultural subsidy investigations through OPEKEPE, as following Kostas Anestidis, the bank accounts of another farm union leader from northern Greece have been frozen. The individual is Giorgos Botas, general secretary of the Agricultural Cooperative of Chalastra, as part of the investigation into potential illegal subsidy collections, according to ERT sources.
OPEKEPE: Statements and reactions from those involved
Mr. Botas claims to be surprised by the freezing of his accounts, maintaining that he had no prior notification. As he stated, he learned about the measure by chance, while the bank informed him that the seizure was made based on an order concerning financial crimes. He calls it an unacceptable action, which he connects to attempts to silence the agricultural community, demanding transparency and justice. He also questions how, after a double and thorough audit – involving the European Public Prosecutor’s Office – the same payments are being disputed just days later.
Kostas Anestidis, leader of the coordination committee at the Malgara blockade, whose accounts were frozen earlier, is also under the same investigation framework. He declares that everything is legal and that the evidence will be examined by his lawyers. The Financial Police is investigating irregularities in his declarations for the period 2019-2024, with alleged subsidies worth 122,000 euros, a case that – if substantiated – constitutes a felony.
In total, authorities are investigating three farmers, with the order to freeze their assets having been issued last Saturday. The final decision on whether to pursue criminal prosecutions will be made by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, evaluating all the evidence.
