New developments in the investigation of the illegal agricultural subsidies scandal at OPEKEPE emerge from the Paraskeui Tycheropoulos report, which was submitted to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) regarding cases involving political figures. According to published data, the report evaluates 23 cases of producers allegedly involving interventions by 13 New Democracy MPs. The report’s significance extends beyond documenting audit findings. It constitutes crucial evidence now in the hands of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, the competent European authority for investigating crimes related to financial damage against the European Union’s economic interests.
OPEKEPE: How cases are categorized in the Tycheropoulos report
According to available information, the report concludes that certain cases show evidence of illegal subsidy collection causing financial damage to European funds, while other cases show no damage or insufficient data to draw safe conclusions. The report reportedly divides cases into three categories: those where financial damage is identified, those where no damage occurs, and those where evidence is deemed incomplete or insufficient for final evaluation. However, it’s noteworthy that certain cases record absence of financial damage or inability to substantiate specific claims, highlighting the need for careful, individualized assessment of each case. Additionally, the report allegedly identifies problems in data management and transmission from competent services, as well as weaknesses in initial processing of certain data.
What the European Public Prosecutor’s Office will examine before deciding on potential criminal liability
However, the most critical element is that the process doesn’t conclude with the report’s submission. Instead, the substantial evaluation stage now begins. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office will examine all findings, cross-reference them with remaining case file evidence, and determine whether criminal liability emerges, if further investigation is required, or if certain cases should be archived. Regardless, the Tycheropoulos report’s conclusions are expected to serve as a basic tool for further European Public Prosecutor’s Office investigation. EPPO’s evaluation of the findings will be the determining factor for next developments, both legally and politically. Some judicial circles haven’t excluded the possibility of requesting a supplementary report.
Archival for Athanassiou and Chatzivassileiou, explanations from Tsiaras and Mitarakis to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and memorandums from remaining MPs
In any case, the Athens First Instance Prosecutor’s Office has already concluded that for MPs Charalambos Athanassiou and Tasos Chatzivassileiou, no evidence emerges for the crime of moral authorship in breach of duty and requested case archival, which was forwarded to the Court of Appeals Prosecutor’s Office. The latter will decide whether to validate the archival or not. Meanwhile, Kostas Tsiaras and Notis Mitarakis have already provided explanations as suspects to the European Public Prosecutor’s Office, while the remaining nine ruling party MPs have received a deadline to submit their memorandums by June 5, without excluding the possibility of requesting more time.
