Greek police have arrested 37 people in connection with a major EU farm subsidy fraud worth millions of euros. The suspects are accused of illegally claiming funds meant for farmers by submitting false land and livestock declarations.
The arrests took place in Athens, Thessaloniki, Crete, and other regions after an investigation by the EU’s anti-fraud agency, OLAF. The probe uncovered fake subsidy claims such as “pastures” in archaeological sites and “banana plantations” on Mount Olympus.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis vowed to punish those responsible, warning the scandal could threaten future EU funding for Greece’s agricultural sector. Authorities have already seized €22 million from fraudulent accounts, while the total fraud is estimated at €23 million.
