Greek Minister of Rural Development and Food Kostas Tsiaras has called for Nikos Salatas, the president of OPEKEPE, who heads the country’s agency responsible for overseeing and certifying EU agricultural subsidies, to step down following a scandal involving alleged illegal subsidies currently under investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO).
The EPPO had earlier stated that during the course of its investigation, OPEKEPE failed to cooperate transparently. In response, Salatas issued a statement on behalf of the organization demanding a public retraction from the European Prosecutor involved in the case, Nikos Paschalis, a deputy appellate prosecutor. He warned that if the statement was not withdrawn, the organization would pursue legal action.
Despite the mounting pressure, sources indicate that Salatas, who was appointed to the position only a few months ago, has thus far refused to hand in his resignation.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office carried out spot raids at the offices in Athens and Crete this week. On Wednesday it issued a particularly scathing announcement regarding its ongoing investigation into allegations of “organized fraud” at the Greek Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aids.
EPPO has revealed that the probe involves agricultural funds and public officials in the country.
“Gathering digital evidence at the headquarters from the organization proved particularly challenging and was significantly delayed until 4 this morning,” announcement on EPPO’s website read, under a subtitle of “Lack of sincere cooperation.”
It added that the “successful execution” of the searches (in Athens and on Crete) was “only possible thanks to the excellent support” of the Greek Police’s specialized digital and forensic units and the internal affairs service.
Source: tovima.com
