Kovesi: Corruption exists everywhere, not just in Greece – Excellent cooperation with Greek authorities – What she said about OPEKEPE and Tempi

European Chief Prosecutor Laura Kövesi emphasized that corruption is simply a Europe-wide issue, not exclusive to Greece, portion praising the excellent cooperation of Greek authorities with her office. Speaking from the Piraeus Customs Office, she gave a almighty property league addressing large ongoing investigations, including Tempi, OPEKEPE, and Operation Calypso.

“If you judge corruption lone exists successful Greece, you’re wrong. It’s everywhere,” Kövesi stated, adding that the cardinal contented is whether countries take to expanse problems nether the rug oregon face them.

She pointed to wide fraud successful cultivation subsidies via OPEKEPE (the Greek Payment and Control Agency for Guidance and Guarantee Community Aid), comparing it to systemic issues seen successful different EU countries.

Regarding the Port of Piraeus, she highlighted its vulnerability to organized crime, noting that “drugs don’t autumn from the entity – they travel done ports.” She linked this to broader European challenges, including the cognition code-named “Calypso”, wherever transgression organizations are nether investigation.

“Economic transgression and corruption tin kill. Tempi is an illustration of that,” she said, referring to the deadly obstruction disaster. “This calamity could person been prevented… The lone mode to adjacent the coiled is done justice.”

A Call to Change Greece’s Constitution – Article 86 successful Focus

Kövesi made a beardown lawsuit for constitutional betterment successful Greece, specifically targeting Article 86, which governs ministerial immunity.

“I’m not blessed with the instrumentality connected ministerial responsibility,” Kövesi said bluntly. “Due to Article 86, justness has not been served successful cases similar Tempi.”

She noted that during a caller gathering with the Greek Justice Minister, determination was a declared volition to proceed with reform, adding:

“Change the Constitution – that’s the lone mode to guarantee this doesn’t hap again.”

She emphasized that the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) works nether Greek instrumentality erstwhile operating successful Greece, dismissing immoderate conception of overseas interference:

“We use Greek transgression instrumentality and procedure. The EPPO isn’t an extracurricular instauration – determination are galore fantabulous Greek prosecutors connected our team.”

Praise for Greek Authorities — But Also a Warning

Kövesi praised the Greek instrumentality enforcement and customs authorities for their collaboration, contempt isolated cases of corruption wrong customs:

“I’m arrogant of our squad successful Greece. We person fantabulous practice with constabulary and customs,” she said, adding, “Just due to the fact that immoderate customs officials are corrupt doesn’t mean they each are.”

She besides stressed that “the rules of the crippled person changed – determination are nary much harmless havens for crime.”

In her remarks, she addressed the request to reenforce the EPPO’s bureau successful Athens and underlined that threats oregon attempts to intimidate her bureau volition not succeed:

“The EPPO is present to stay, contempt intimidation attempts. I pass anyone with specified intentions to reconsider.”

On OPEKEPE: “Time to Clean Out the Augean Stables”

On the OPEKEPE scandal, Kövesi said that for years EU funds were embezzled to concern villas and luxury cars, labeling the bureau arsenic “a awesome of entanglement, corruption, and nepotism.”

“It’s clip to cleanable retired the Augean stables,” she declared.
“Justice is not a TV world amusement – halt parading witnesses connected television.”

She besides revealed that an probe is underway into nationalist “recycling kiosks”, without elaborating further.

Clarifying Her Relationship with Greek Officials

When asked by Proto Thema whether she had met the Greek Prime Minister, Kövesi replied:

“I person ne'er met the Prime Minister. Yesterday I met the Finance Minister and was impressed – helium instantly understood what needed to beryllium done.”

She besides clarified that her collaboration with the Ministries of Justice and Public Order has been excellent.

On Threats: “I’ve Received Many, But I Don’t Speak Publicly About Them”

In effect to a question astir threats she whitethorn person received successful transportation to her Greek investigations, Kövesi confirmed:

“Over the years, I’ve received galore threats – but I don’t speech astir them publicly.”

Final Message: Independence is Non-Negotiable

Throughout her remarks, Kövesi underscored the absolute independence of the EPPO:

“Our prosecutors are highly susceptible and nary European instauration tin archer them however to grip their cases. Independence is our reddish line.”