Three main suspects in a criminal organization case that allegedly operated over the past five years in areas of Crete have been given a deadline to appear for questioning Friday morning. The group is accused of extortion, beatings, arson, and illegally collecting agricultural subsidies from the Greek payment agency OPEKEPE.
The suspects include a 43-year-old man, believed to be the mastermind of the organization, and two brothers. The accused denied challenging their alleged victims’ properties, claiming instead that in some cases they had leased the disputed real estate and pastures. According to the case file from the Organized Crime Unit, which numbers approximately 2,000 pages, six additional people are allegedly involved in the case, with authorities examining their exact roles.
Allegations of extortion and arson in Crete “family mafia” case
According to prosecuting authorities, the group had created a climate of fear in Cretan villages, extorting property owners, farmers, and pasture holders. The members allegedly declared the lands as their own properties to illegally collect subsidies from OPEKEPE, with the total amount they are estimated to have stolen exceeding 500,000 euros.
The case file includes allegations that those who refused to surrender their properties became victims of extortion, beatings, and property destruction. Some reported seeing their vehicles, both agricultural and passenger cars, burned after refusing to cooperate with the group members. The 43-year-old allegedly played a central role along with his two nephews, who, according to authorities, were responsible for identifying crops and pastures and declaring them as their properties, despite never actually possessing them.
The alleged activities of the gang span from 2021 to 2025, with members illegally declaring crops and lands to collect subsidies, obtaining total illegal profits exceeding 500,000 euros.
Crete “family mafia”: Illegal subsidies exceeding 500,000 euros
A climate of fear was allegedly imposed in areas of Crete by the family criminal organization accused of extortion, illegal occupation of agricultural land, and property destruction, aimed at illegally collecting European subsidies through OPEKEPE. From Borizia to Amari, residents and farmers allegedly avoided speaking out for fear of retaliation.
According to authorities, at least 40 people fell victim to the group’s activities, whose members deny the charges against them. Farmers from Amari had reported receiving threats from the alleged leader and his two nephews, who trespassed on fields and pastures, while cases of non-compliance were followed by extortion and crop destruction.
According to the case file, the organization members even resorted to arson as a means of intimidation and revenge, causing several residents to abandon their properties. From 2021 to 2025, they allegedly extorted dozens of agricultural plot owners, and in May 2025 they allegedly set fire to one victim’s vehicle. The charges they face are serious: Continued extortion, criminal organization, agricultural damage, joint arson, and aggravated destruction of others’ property by fire.
In 2021, a resident of Fourfour Amari reported to police that he found his vineyard destroyed. About 400 vine stocks had been cut with an electric saw. A year later, an olive grove owner reported finding 134 olive trees cut down completely, and another farmer reported the arson of his vehicle due to retaliation.
After connecting the isolated complaints, a prosecutorial order was given in April 2025 for an investigation by the Greek FBI branch in Crete. Police investigation revealed that the three main suspects – the family uncle and his two nephews – organized into a gang and gradually recruited younger family members.
A reign of terror prevailed in Amari villages due to extortion imposed by members of the alleged criminal organization. Mouths remain tightly shut even now. The “family mafia” enriched themselves through trespassing on agricultural plots, through uncontrolled grazing of their sheep without payment, or cultivating portions for grain production without the owner’s consent.
Cross-referencing revealed that the arrested suspects and their equally accused wives, from 2021 to 2025, made false declarations for European aid, falsely claiming ownership of agricultural plots that didn’t belong to them and inflated livestock numbers.
The total amount they allegedly embezzled from European Union funds through OPEKEPE over five years is estimated at over half a million euros.
Defense attorney’s claims
On Tuesday (19/05), the defense attorney for the three alleged main suspects in the Crete case stated that her clients never intended to challenge the properties of those accusing them of trespassing. She presented a document showing that at least 34 properties were allegedly subleased, claiming this evidence has been submitted and included in the case file.
The case file, numbering approximately 2,000 pages, includes a total of 40 charges against those involved.
The attorney also argued that the main charges are limited to one case of aggravated arson and one instance of aggravated threat of physical violence, according to the defense.
Additionally, she noted that the case involving alleged fraud against OPEKEPE needs further examination, but argued there are no grounds for detention, as the defendants are not considered flight risks and two of them are already being tried for other cases, which she claims reduces the risk of committing new offenses.
