Assets frozen as EU prosecutor probes Semertzidou in farm subsidy case

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has received a study from Greece’s Anti-Money Laundering Authority concerning alleged misuse of cultivation subsidies by erstwhile New Democracy authoritative Kalliopi Semertzidou, her spouse and household members.

According to sources, the assets of 4 individuals, worth astatine slightest 1.5 cardinal euros, person been frozen, funds that investigators accidental were not used for the productive and developmental purposes for which they were granted.

Between 2019 and 2024, the suspects are alleged to person received a total of 2.6 cardinal euros successful subsidies from the Greek cultivation payments bureau OPEKEPE. Of that amount, astir 1.5 cardinal euros was allegedly misused, the sources said.

Authorities froze assets belonging to the two main suspects, relatives and a institution they established. The bid covers 11 properties, farmland and plots, arsenic well arsenic two luxury cars – a Ferrari and a Porsche – and 30 different vehicles used for rental purposes.

The study sent to EPPO refers to suspected fraud and wealth laundering and calls for a afloat probe into the allegations. Investigators person besides asked fiscal authorities to analyse whether astir 1 cardinal euros of the subsidies were obtained done the use of mendacious oregon fictitious invoices.