ND MP rejects claims of interference in OPEKEPE probe as PASOK moves to suspend arrested member

New Democracy MP for Magnesia Christos Boukoros has denied any attempt by the government to interfere with or obstruct the investigation into the OPEKEPE farm subsidy scandal, during testimony before the parliamentary inquiry committee examining the case.

Boukoros stated that “there was no attempt to obscure, obstruct or manage the prosecutor’s investigation by anyone,” rejecting opposition claims that he had been warned by a government official in June 2024 to be cautious in his phone communications. He said the timing of that warning was irrelevant to the allegations raised.

He explained that his involvement in the case file relates to three phone calls on the same issue made in October 2021, adding that he only became aware his name had appeared in the file in June 2024. Boukoros stressed that documents from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office show that none of his phones were under surveillance, and that his conversations surfaced only because investigators were monitoring then-OPEKEPE president Giorgos Melas.

While declining to name the government source who informed him of his inclusion in the case file—arguing this would distract from the committee’s work—Boukoros defended his past interventions at OPEKEPE as procedural. He also pointed to parliamentary questions and formal complaints he has filed since 2015, which he said demonstrate his efforts to expose irregularities within the organization.

PASOK moves to suspend arrested member

Meanwhile, the main opposition party PASOK announced it has initiated procedures to suspend the party membership of one of the 15 individuals arrested in Crete in connection with a new investigation into alleged fraudulent farm subsidies.

During the same committee session, New Democracy MP Makarios Lazaridis revealed that one of those arrested was accountant Giorgos Lambrakis, presenting a photograph that appeared to show PASOK leader Nikos Androulakis acting as best man at Lambrakis’ wedding.

Responding to the disclosure, PASOK MP Milena Apostolaki said that although she was not aware of the details of the case, any party official found to have even minimal involvement would be “immediately removed” from PASOK.