The scandal of illegal subsidies through fictitious declarations of pastureland has taken on explosive proportions and is now under scrutiny. European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), which confirmed in an official announcement (May 20, 2025) that it is conducting investigations in Greece into organized fraud involving agricultural subsidies, involving cases of false declarations and forged contracts. According to the announcement, this involves «systematic practice» which allegedly involves even members of the Board of Directors of OPEC – the body responsible for checking and paying Community aid.
Agrinio's pastures in... Kythira
As published today in the newspaper Manifesto (May 30, 2025), the scandal also involves land in Kythira, which was presented as being leased by farmers in Aetolia-Acarnania through forged agreements. Specifically, according to the article, approximately 15,000 acres in Kythira had been declared to the OSD as her property Holy Monastery of Taxiarchon, Aegion, with which the «farmers» were said to have signed leases. However, the abbot of the monastery himself denied any connection with the agreements, which turned out to be forged – with digitally fabricated signatures and seals.
The same article notes that the declarations for pastures for 2019 and 2018 were submitted via just two KYD in the Agrinio area, and all the «contracts» were signed on the same day, January 15, 2019. One of the contracts was signed by a community leader who also appeared as a tenant of the land in Kythira.
The newspaper Countryside, from which it essentially reproduces the information Manifesto, had as early as 2020, reveal the case of fake pasture leases, with reference to both Kythira and Kalavryta.
Teligioridou: «I exposed the scandal in Parliament»
The former Deputy Minister of Rural Development Olympia Teligioridou, with posts on Facebook In recent days, he recalled that the scandal had already been reported to Parliament in 2021, and that he then received threats of legal action. He stated that «those who knew and covered it up are now pretending to be honourable».
Kellas: «The problem began under SYRIZA»
Ο Deputy Minister of Rural Development Christos Kellas, in an interview on the show ERTnews Newsroom (May 29, 2025), he replied that «the problems began in 2015, under SYRIZA,» specifically with the so-called “technical solution” which allows for the return of grazing land in remote areas. He also pointed out that in 2017, also under SYRIZA, subsidies were granted even without the existence of animals, something that was abolished in 2022 under ND.
In question why there was no earlier reaction, he replied that there were problems in recording management plans and deficiencies in the OPECEP information system, while also blamed the regions.
The dnews.gr comments that the deputy minister's response reveals embarrassment and that there is an attempt to «shift responsibility» to SYRIZA and local government bodies, despite the fact that the New Democracy party has been in power for six years and has changed six administrations at OPECEPE.
The responsibility of all those involved comes to light
Η European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) is now solely responsible for conducting an in-depth investigation into the responsibilities and bringing those involved to justice. The investigations in Athens and Crete, which were completed on May 20, 2025, were significantly delayed because of lack of cooperation from OPECEPE, as noted by the EPPO itself. Finally, with the help of of the Hellenic Police (Criminal Investigation Directorate – Digital Evidence Examination Department) and the Service Internal Affairs of Security Forces - Special Affairs Department), digital evidence has been gathered that may reveal the full extent of the ring.
The political blame game continues, but the bottom line is this: the illegal subsidy scheme involving forged agreements and non-existent pastures has harmed both the Greek countryside and European funds. The Kythera were at the center of this fraud, with unsuspecting residents seeing their land being «rented» without their knowledge. The question now is cleansing and accountability – without further delay.
