ATHENS

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office announced Thursday that it has launched an investigation against two former Greek ministers in connection with a major fraud involving the bloc’s agricultural subsidies.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office in Athens has submitted information to the Greek Parliament regarding the alleged involvement of two former ministers of rural development and food in criminal offences, the office said in a statement, adding that only the Greek Parliament has the power to investigate and prosecute serving or even former members of the government.

Noting that it already has an ongoing investigation into an alleged organized fraud scheme involving agricultural funds and corruption among public officials of the OPEKEPE, the state agency responsible for managing EU agricultural subsidies in Greece, the office said: “During this investigation, information emerged concerning the possible involvement of two former ministers in aiding and instigating the misappropriation (breach of trust) of EU agricultural funds during the exercise of their official duties.”

The daily Kathimerini reported that the former ministers under investigation are Makis Voridis and Lefteris Avgenakis.

Separately, Greek media reported Wednesday that the European Commission has fined Greece €392.2 million (approximately $453.4 million) in relation to the subsidy fraud, which allegedly dates back to 2016.