Inquiry Expands into EU Farm Funds Fraud Involving Greek Official

A significant investigation into fraud involving hundreds of millions in European Union farm funds in Greece has broadened to include Kalliopi Semertzidou, a former official from the ruling New Democracy party led by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. This development follows a report by the in.gr website, which revealed that Semertzidou, her partner, and at least six family members received €2.5 million in subsidies from OPEKEPE, the organization responsible for distributing EU agricultural funds in Greece, between 2019 and 2024.

Following the report, Semertzidou resigned from her role as coordinator of EU funds and women’s entrepreneurship within the New Democracy party. In her resignation letter, she characterized the allegations as “a targeted and slanderous attack with false claims,” asserting that her activities had been “transparent and legal.”

Investigative Actions and Implications

The Greek office of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is currently awaiting findings from the Anti-Money Laundering Authority, which conducted a raid on OPEKEPE’s offices on Wednesday. This operation aimed to gather information about EU subsidies awarded to individuals in the Thessaly region, including Semertzidou. Officials indicated that if they uncover evidence of illicit wealth or lifestyles inconsistent with declared incomes, they may freeze assets and escalate the case to European prosecutors.

This inquiry is part of a broader scandal, with the EPPO investigating numerous cases where individuals received agricultural funds for land they neither owned nor leased, or for work they did not perform. This has resulted in legitimate farmers being deprived of necessary funds. The scheme was initially reported by POLITICO in February.

Photos circulating on social media depict Semertzidou’s lavish lifestyle, including images of her driving a Ferrari and a Porsche, alongside selfies with prominent New Democracy leaders. In response, Semertzidou and her partner claim that the subsidies received were legitimate and that their luxury vehicles were acquired years prior to the investigations. They maintain that they have undergone multiple audits by authorities in the past, which cleared them of any wrongdoing.

Impact on Farmers and Ongoing Protests

As this scandal unfolds, farmers in northern Greece have begun to protest, citing significant delays in subsidy payments from OPEKEPE. Reports indicate that some payments have been frozen amid ongoing judicial investigations, further exacerbating the situation for farmers reliant on these funds.

The ramifications of this investigation are expected to extend beyond individual cases, potentially leading to a reassessment of how EU agricultural funds are allocated and monitored in Greece. The unfolding scandal highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in managing public resources, particularly in sectors critical to the livelihood of many citizens.