Kövesi in Greece: “Time to clean Augean Stables” – Tempi, OPEKEPE and Article 86 under fire

The European Chief Prosecutor, Laura Kövesi, used harsh connection astir Tempi, OPEKEPE and corruption successful Greece astatine the property league held connected Thursday, astatine the Port of Piraeus.

In 2 cases the revision of nonfiction 86 (ministerial responsibility) hindered our investigation: Tempi and OPEKEPE. This is contrary to European authorities and this indispensable beryllium modified. I anticipation that there is capable governmental will and we will person a antithetic result, she noted.
She underlined that “the bully quality is that the Parliament tin modify nonfiction 86 of the Greek constitution. I understand there is present capable governmental will to start this process. The sooner, the better.”

“Our probe into the Tempi lawsuit has been concluded”

“We person concluded our probe into the Tempi lawsuit and person reached a decision, which will beryllium announced. We are reaching the extremity of the process,” she replied to a applicable question.

On the European funds, she noted that a abstracted probe is underway.
“The atrocious quality is that, arsenic successful the Tempi case, the probe could not spell arsenic acold arsenic it could owed to the Greek Constitution. The bully quality is that the parliament tin amend Article 86 of the Constitution. I understand that there is present governmental will to start this process and the sooner the better.”

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office “is present to stay”

She explained that each cases successful Greece are supervised by the imperishable offices of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office successful Luxembourg.
“We will strengthen the European Public Prosecutor’s Office successful Athens. We request much resources for this. I anticipation that since we had meetings astatine this level, what we said yesterday will beryllium implemented. If they are not implemented, I will travel back.”

“Honest farmers did not person entree to European funds”

Regarding the OPEKEPE scandal, she stressed that it is not a unique phenomenon. “It is not the lone one. There are respective cases. There is corruption with cultivation subsidies successful different subordinate states arsenic well,” she noted.
She revealed that she received a missive from a Greek national successful the summer, who complained that she could not person entree to European funds, since – arsenic she claimed – everyone other was bribing and she did not want to beryllium portion of this practice. Kövesi emphasized that honorable farmers did not person entree to European funds.

“For galore years, some radical were stealing European funds that should person supported honorable farmers successful cultivating this beauteous state and not gone into villas and costly cars. OPEKEPE became a byword for corruption.”

Regarding the Greek constabulary and Greek customs authorities successful the Calypso operation, she noted that “we had fantabulous cooperation”, while speaking of “a very large success.”

“I person ne'er met with the Prime Minister”

The European Chief Prosecutor stated that she has ne'er met with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
However, referring to the abstracted appointments with ministers, she noted that yesterday she met for the archetypal clip with Finance Minister Kyriakos Pierrakakis.

She besides referred to the practice with Greek prosecutors: “We besides person Greek colleagues, who are very bully – the champion of them came to our team. I americium very arrogant of the team that works here.”

“Other cases of mismanagement of funds are besides being investigated”

Asked if the European Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating different contracts too 717, she replied that there are different files for mismanagement of funds, such arsenic those for the restoration of flood damage.

Regarding the GSI cable, Kövesi did not reply whether the probe concerns Greece oregon Cyprus, but she confirmed that the process has been opened.