EU Prosecutor reveals that complaints concerning Greece have doubled this year
New fires were lit under the government from Delphi by the head of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO), Laura Codruța Kövesi. During a press conference, she revealed that there are complaints regarding the Recovery Fund currently under investigation by the EPPO. This, in essence, may constitute a "final blow" for Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as a new cycle of case files is expected. Additionally, she disclosed that complaints involving Greece have doubled this year.
"I don't engage"
Asked if she feels under pressure, she replied: "I am not sure what you are referring to. I do not comment on what politicians say. I would have to spend 23 hours a day answering them. I have already answered." Regarding whether the EPPO uses Artificial Intelligence in the OPEKEPE investigation, Kövesi noted: "If we had the necessary budget, we would consider creating AI tools, but safety regulations must be established first. We do not use AI in OPEKEPE, nor in any other case." She added: "Sometimes citizens believe the EU is the last refuge. But we cannot solve all problems."
Yes to acceleration
On her relations with Greek authorities, Laura Codruța Kövesi stated: "I hope for positive developments. The Prime Minister's statement regarding acceleration is good. The meetings with the three ministers were also good—I have nothing to complain about." Regarding whether other cases in Greece are occupying the EPPO, she replied: "We have certain cases involving tax evasion, fraud, and tender fraud. I do not know if political figures are involved."
"They have no reason"
Asked who has an interest in removing the two prosecutors handling the OPEKEPE cases, Kövesi settled for a rhetorical question: "They did an excellent job. What is the reason for their mandate not to be renewed?" This follows a bombshell statement by the European Chief Prosecutor that threatens to blow up the narrative of "normality" in Greece, revealing a system where fraud not only flourishes but often goes unpunished. Speaking at the Delphi Economic Forum, the top European prosecutor described a country where—as she says—"if someone commits fraud, they return the money and walk free." This is a model that, if confirmed in practice, raises serious questions about the rule of law and the functioning of justice.
The shocking allegation
Laura Kövesi did not mince her words. Directly challenging the Greek institutional framework, she posed the burning question: how is it possible for fraud to be dealt with via a refund rather than actual sanctions? Although she acknowledged that changes were made to legislation following EPPO interventions, the message was clear: the problem is not theoretical—it is deeply rooted.
"OPEKEPE is synonymous with corruption"
Her stance on OPEKEPE, an organization managing European funds, was even harsher. "It has become synonymous with corruption," she stated, targeting one of the most sensitive areas of public money management. Referring to the debate over parliamentary immunity, she denounced attempts at distraction: "All this noise moves away from the essence." And the essence, she said, is one: who is responsible. She clearly emphasized that abuse of power and fraud are criminal offenses—and cannot be labeled a "political practice." In fact, when asked at the subsequent press conference if she feels attacked by government members, Kövesi responded with a clear desire to distance herself from political conflict. "I do not comment on what politicians say; if I did, I would have to spend 23 hours a day repeating the same things," she stressed.
"Do your job"
In one of her sharpest interventions, Laura Kövesi sent a clear message to prosecutors: "If you see fraud, do your job." This phrase acted as a direct exhortation—or even a warning—to those called upon to apply the law at a time when public trust is being tested.
Investigations under pressure and a race against time
The investigation into OPEKEPE is at a critical juncture, with some cases completed and others ongoing. She acknowledged the need for acceleration, noting that even Kyriakos Mitsotakis has emphasized the importance of a swift conclusion. However, she did not fail to point out the limits: minimal staff, a massive volume of documents, and time pressure. "We are three people who have to read thousands of documents," she said, highlighting the scale of the challenge.
"Stabs" at the politicians
Speaking about the OPEKEPE scandal, the European Prosecutor mentioned that "we have several cases, more complaints for potential offenses will likely come, but I cannot say if there will be more case files at this moment." Commenting on the criticism leveled by politicians against the EPPO, Kövesi stressed that "I categorically refute any accusations and claims." Indeed, when asked about attacks on the institution, she replied characteristically: "Who is criticizing the EPPO? Ok, politicians…."
"We are not a service – we are an institution"
Laura Kövesi wanted to clarify the role of the European Public Prosecutor's Office, emphasizing that it is not a mere service but an institution that applies the law of member states. "We are not strangers," she underlined, responding indirectly to those who attempt to portray her interventions as external interference.
Trust in citizens – not the system
Despite the fierce criticism, the European Prosecutor distinguished Greek society from the political and institutional system. "I do not believe that Greeks accept corruption as a way of life," she stated, expressing admiration for those who react and report such phenomena. The increased flow of complaints to the EPPO, she noted, is an indication that citizens are beginning to trust European institutions more than domestic ones.
"Complaints from Greece have doubled this year"
The head of the EPPO also said that trust in the institution is evident from how citizens react. "When you clean your house and put the dirt under the rug, it doesn't mean your house is clean. Well, everyone can compare our statistics, they are public—I cannot say, 'Oh, Greece is very corrupt because we have 100 cases or 50 cases.' I don't know. I don't measure that. For me, it is important just to give you an example. This year we have double the number of new cases recorded in Greece because many citizens sent complaints to us. This is a good sign. They trust what we do. But what I can tell you is that our colleagues here at the EPPO office in Athens are very good. And I must admire their courage to change this. They want to change this. And that is very important," she emphasized.
"I kept hearing, 'This is how we do things in Greece.' I don't know how many immunity waiver requests there were in Greece. Maybe there were hundreds. I don't know how many MPs or former ministers were investigated before the EPPO started in Greece. I don't know. But I can tell you that these prosecutors have the courage to do it. And that is the main and important thing. It's not about how corrupt the country is compared to Romania or Germany or France or other member states. The important thing is, you have a problem, you do your job. You are a prosecutor. You see that there is corruption, do your job. You see that you have problems in the legislation, change the law, do your job. Because if we all do our job, of course, we will leave in a cleaner country where everything will be better and corruption will no longer be a way of life," she added.
Shadows and unanswered questions
At the same time, the discussion regarding the renewal of the mandate for the Greek European Prosecutors opens new questions. She left hints, stating that she does not understand why some wish to remove cases from those already handling them. This phrase intensifies suspicions of interventions and pressure on the work of justice.
The big question
The revelations and statements of Laura Kövesi leave no room for complacency. If fraud can be "closed" with a refund and if organizations are linked to systematic corruption, then the problem is not isolated—it is structural. And the question that remains to be answered is one: will there be a real cleansing or will everything be buried once again under the noise?
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