EU Attorney Targets Two Greek MEPs, Seeking to Lift Immunity

The chief European prosecutor demanded to remove the immunity from two Greek MEPs. Request to lift immunities for Maria Spiraka (ND/EPP) and Eva Kaili (PASOK/SID) stems from suspected budget-damaging fraud EU in connection with the administration of the parliamentary allowance.

In a statement released on Thursday afternoon, December 15, the European prosecutor states:

Published on December 15, 2022
Today, in accordance with the procedures provided for by union law, Europe’s chief prosecutor requested the lifting of the immunity of Ms Eva Kaili, MEP, and Ms Maria Spiraka, MEP.

Based on an investigative report received from the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF), there is a suspicion of fraud damaging the EU budget in connection with the management of the parliamentary allowance and, in particular, in relation to the remuneration of accredited parliamentary assistants. Ms. Kylie and Ms. Spiraki are entitled to the presumption of innocence under national applicable law.

This case is obviously different from the case of Qatar. The MEP for the ruling New Democracy party, Maria Spirakis, made the following statement regarding the European Attorney General’s request to lift her immunity:

“I am happy to accept the request to lift immunity to make it clear that I do not have a single euro of financial difference with the European Parliament.” We are talking about an allowance for a former foreign colleague who faced a serious personal problem and made several absences from the meeting of the European Parliament. I have nothing to do with Cathargate, I have nothing to do with any other business.”

In an interview with ANT1 TV, MEP Spiraki said that such issues, including lifting the immunity of MEPs, are common in the EP and that she had no idea about it. When asked if the issue was relevant to the Cathargate investigation, Spiraki replied: “I have nothing to say about this.”

The European Prosecutor’s Office began operating on 1 June 2021 as an “independent body of the European Union”. According to the European Council website, it is “competent to investigate, prosecute and prosecute crimes against EU financial interests such as fraud, corruption, money laundering, cross-border VAT fraud.” Laura Kovesi has headed the European Prosecutor’s Office since its inception.

The European Prosecutor’s Office deals with cases of transnational fraud, misuse of European funds, etc., as well as cases of violation of European sanctions. However, out of 27 EU member states, only 22 have so far joined the European Prosecutor’s Office: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Greece, Estonia, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal , Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic and Finland. Countries like Poland and Hungary reject any form of cooperation.

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