The threshold of the European Public Prosecutor's Office 15 of the 16 people arrested in Crete for the OPEKEPE scandal were arrested on Sunday morning (14/12).
They were transported to Athens by the ferry of the line, which arrived at the port shortly before 07:00 in the morning. From there, a coach and a strong EL.AS. escort picked them up to take them to the European Public Prosecutor's Office.
The accused in the scandal of illegal subsidies of OPEKEPE are expected to request and receive a deadline to apologize. At the same time, they deny all charges and claim that the indictment will collapse.
The categories
A case file was formed against them - in some cases - for:
- setting up a criminal organisation,
- grant-related fraud,
- misrepresentation by false certification,
- preventing and suppressing the proceeds of crime,
- infringement of the law on solemn declaration,
The case file includes 26 other people, and another man allegedly involved died in 2024.
What the EL.AS found in investigations
During searches conducted at homes, a Declaration Reception Centre (RRC), an accounting office, and vehicles, among others, were found and seized:
- EUR 35 750,
- a bar of gold,
- 19 gold pounds,
- 3 gold chains,
- numerous related documents,
- a number of bank cards,
- 14 mobile phones, 2
- laptops,
- a tablet,
- an external portable storage unit (usb).
