Former Agricultural Development Minister Spilios Libanos made unprecedented allegations during his testimony before Parliament’s Parliamentary Inquiry Committee investigating OPEKEPE. Among other revelations, he spoke of insults and direct threats against both himself and his family members, while testifying that he attempted to address the lawlessness that prevailed.
Libanos: What he told the OPEKEPE inquiry and revelations about “Frape”
“In my attempt to address lawlessness, I was insulted, threatened along with my family, and voted down,” he said characteristically. “The threats were daily, even against my children, while there were two bounty notices with posters in Crete ahead of my tour of the island to discuss the measures, and two rallies were organized by ‘farmer-fathers,’ one in Crete and one in Athens,” he added. Moreover, he mentioned that many of these individuals are people being discussed in Parliament. However, he did not reveal their names, saying nonetheless that not all Cretans are the same and added that the opportunists are few.
Furthermore, during his testimony he maintained that there was chronic impunity in resource allocation and national reserve distribution, emphasizing that the services saw there was a serious problem in Crete, which was the rapid and unnatural increase in livestock numbers. “1,441,000 animals were declared compared to 178,000 previously declared – a 708% increase. And all this while Greek livestock farming was declining nationwide. Similarly, there was a 539% increase in Cretan lambs and kids… The fraud with false declarations was glaring,” he said characteristically, adding that he had requested measures be taken.
The threats against him and revelations about “Frape”
However, Mr. Libanos emphasized that he was in “conflict” with MPs from all parties. More specifically, he said they warned him that “they would throw stones and clubs at his office,” expressing, as he said, the displeasure of certain Cretans who, although a minority, had a loud voice. At the same time, particular attention was drawn to his references about the behavior displayed by Giorgos Xylouri, also known as “Frape.” Specifically, when PASOK rapporteur Milena Apostolaki asked him if he knew Giorgos Xylouri, the former minister replied that he tried dozens of times to meet him and, according to his associates, “he was particularly aggressive, insulted me and called me an enemy of Crete, demanding communication.” “I never met him personally, although it’s possible he came once with some delegation,” he emphasized characteristically.
On the other hand, his admission that he lost the first position in Aitoloakarnania (note: he used to be elected in first place) and ended up fourth due to controls carried out in areas around Messolongi was striking. He also mentioned that OPEKEPE’s integration under AADE is in the right direction.
