European prosecutors have brought charges against numerous Greek stockbreeders for falsely declaring ownership or leasing of pastureland to obtain EU financial aid. The European Public Prosecutor’s Office reported that the fraudulent activities caused an estimated 2.9 million euros in damages to the EU budget. Most of the 100 suspects did not reside where they claimed in their applications. The suspects are accused of submitting fake ownership declarations or forged lease contracts for land they did not own or lease.

The financial aid in question was sourced from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, distributed by the Greek Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) Payment Authority. The cases are scheduled to be heard in Greek courts in March and May, with potential penalties of up to five years in prison and a fine awaiting the suspects.