The prosecution's investigation into the case of illegal subsidies of OPEKEPE is taking on new dimensions, as the circle of political figures involved is growing. According to reliable information, the total number of persons under scrutiny, based on the files that have been formed, now stands at 20.
New file on two sitting MEPs
The case is not limited to the two former ministers and the 11 sitting MEPs, for whom the European Public Prosecutor's Office has already opened proceedings. The appointed European prosecutors, Poppy Papandreou and Dionysis Mouzakis, who are in charge of the investigation for the crucial period of 2021, have proceeded to forward a new, separate file to the Prosecutor's Office.
This new file concerns two additional active members of the New Democracy party. For these persons, serious indications have emerged of the commission of the offence of instigating a breach of duty. According to the evidence of the investigation, high-ranking executives of the OPEKEPE are alleged to be the natural perpetrators of the acts.
The referral of the case to the Prosecutor's Office - and not directly to Parliament - was made for formal legal reasons: the offence of misconduct is a national criminal offence and does not fall within the jurisdiction of the European Public Prosecutor's Office. Therefore, the Prosecutor's Office is expected to take the appropriate action to forward the file to the Greek Parliament, accompanied by a new request for the waiver of immunity for the two MEPs.
Five former MEPs under the microscope
At the same time, the information says that in the framework of the investigation of the European Prosecutors, evidence of the offence of instigating unfaithfulness has emerged for five other formerly Members of Parliament. As these persons no longer have parliamentary status - and are therefore not covered by immunity - the procedure changes: they will be directly summoned by the European Public Prosecutor's Office to explain themselves as suspects.
Clarifications from the Authorities
However, judicial sources are quick to clarify that the summoning of a person to provide explanations (either through a waiver of immunity or directly as a suspect) is a necessary procedural stage for the investigation of the case and does not automatically imply that those involved will eventually become accused. Everything will depend on the evaluation of the explanations and evidence gathered in the coming period.
