The Greek government earlier this week submitted an amendment to effectively block European prosecutors from probing lawmakers.
European Prosecutor Laura Codruța Kövesi sent a formal complaint to the European Commission regarding Greek moves seeking to sideline EU prosecutors from investigating lawmakers.
Earlier this week, Greece’s government submitted an amendment to effectively block European prosecutors from investigating parliamentarians — a highly sensitive subject because of a major probe into political involvement in a massive farm fraud scandal.
Members of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ conservative New Democracy party have been closely linked to the investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO), and several ministers and deputy ministers have already been forced to quit.
In a letter to the European Commission on Friday, Kövesi said that the “hasty” move by the government in Athens “has a negative effect on the EPPO’s ability to effectively investigate and prosecute offences under its competence in Greece.”
She also has sent a formal complaint regarding the amendment to Greek Justice Minister Giorgos Floridis.
In her letter to the Commission, Kövesi said the Greek Supreme Judicial Council recently refused to renew the mandate of three European Delegated Prosecutors for five years, as requested by EPPO, which “has a negative effect on the EPPO’s independence in Greece.”
The prosecutors are currently investigating the farm fraud scandal and have sent case files to the Greek parliament requesting the lifting of the immunity of several lawmakers accused of involvement. More cases are expected in the future. Earlier this month, the Judicial Council renewed the terms of the delegated prosecutors for just two years.
Kövesi said these developments “cast serious doubts as to the Greek authorities’ compliance with their obligation of sincere cooperation” with the EPPO.
A Commission spokesperson confirmed that it had taken note of the letter from the EPPO.
“Regarding the amendment, we are aware of its adoption in the Greek Parliament and will examine it,” the spokesperson said.
This article has been updated with the European Commission’s comment.