Preliminary Investigation into Poppi Semertzidou Regarding OPEKEPE Subsidies
The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has ordered a preliminary investigation into subsidies allegedly received from OPEKEPE by Kalliopi Semertzidou, a former New Democracy (ND) party official, and her family members. The investigation was initiated following reports that Ms. Semertzidou and her family allegedly received ā¬2.5 million in subsidies.
Simultaneously, the EPPO is awaiting the findings from the Hellenic Authority for Combating Money Laundering, which conducted a search at the OPEKEPE offices to gather information regarding subsidies received by ten individuals from Thessaly, including Ms. Semertzidou.
Christos Mageirias, Ms. Semertzidou's partner, stated that he has been audited 11 times by OPEKEPE and is "clean." Regarding the ā¬1.4 million, he stated that he received ā¬620,000, his partner ā¬96,000, and his mother ā¬890,000, who owns over 500 cows.
Ms. Semertzidou has resigned from her position as coordinator of Community Resources and Women's Entrepreneurship of ND and denies the accusations.