A new investigation by OLAF blocks agricultural subsidy payments in Greece

An unexpected action by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) at the headquarters of the Greek Agricultural Payments Agency (OPEKEPE or the equivalent of the State Fund "Agriculture" in Bulgaria) has led to a new delay in the due subsidies to farmers – another episode of the corruption scandal shaking the institution, writes the Greek publication "Kathimerini." According to their sources, the checks began on Monday morning and will continue in the following days. Investigators have requested extensive documentation – the organizational structure of the agency, the distribution of responsibilities among employees, and contracts with external consultants. The Ministry of Agriculture announced that the payments, which were supposed to be made over the summer, will start "immediately after the completion of the current inspection." Minister Kostas Tziarras clarified that advance payments are expected to reach farmers' accounts in November, but declined to specify exact dates, as the ...