Authorities’ investigation into allegations of improper provision of benefits through ΟΠΕΚΑ (Organization of Social Benefits and Social Solidarity) is in an active phase.
Between January 2020 and December 2022, a hole of €1.86 million was identified in the fund.
At the center of the investigation – Tasoula Hadzidakiformer head of departments of the Organization and ex-secretary for organizational issues of the PASOK party. Her party status was suspended, while she herself stated that she was at the disposal of the investigative authorities.
Εθνική Αρχή Διαφάνειας (National Transparency Authority) examined 372 cases. It turned out to be under special attention Benefit for Uninsured Seniors. According to the audit, the persons involved took advantage of the lack of an electronic system for processing applications for this payment, as well as long waiting periods, which could reach two years.
As a result, as the investigation found, the rules were systematically violated. Applications were approved out of chronological order or expedited at the discretion of officials. Dossiers with missing documents received the green light. In a number of cases, basic criteria, including age requirements, were not met.
In addition, there were cases where payments began earlier than expected, which increased the overall duration of receiving benefits.
It is currently being determined whether the individuals being audited have received personal financial benefits, as they have not yet been subject to separate financial audits.
Check on the ΟΠΕΚΑ case: a “hole” of 1.86 million euros and 372 dubious cases pic.twitter.com/Xr9SOMcqaR
— Athens News (@russianathens) February 18, 2026
How the authorities came up with the scheme
During the period under review Tasoula Hadzidaki held the position of head of the departments involved in the investigation. In June 2022, she was transferred from the Organization to the PASOK offices.
However, according to available information, she continued to visit ΟΠΕΚΑ offices and had access to files, which raised suspicions.
The case materials have been transferred to the competent prosecutor to establish the existence of criminal liability.
Editorial comment
Indicativethat under the previous publication readers en masse wrote about how difficult it is to get benefits for those who really need it. Months of waiting, bureaucratic delays, constant revisions of documents – all this has become a familiar reality for many. And against this background, information about possible “accelerated” solutions for individuals sounds especially painful.
If it is confirmed that there was a practice of selectively approving applications out of turn or with an incomplete package of documents, this will mean not just a violation of procedures, but undermining the very principle of social justice. The social assistance system must work according to the same rules for everyone – otherwise trust in it is destroyed faster than it is restored.
In such cases it is important not only to establish personal responsibilitybut also to analyze institutional weaknesses: lack of digital control, excessive manual processing of applications, opacity of decision-making. Without addressing these factors, even the most high-profile investigations will not lead to real change.
More Stories
Stray dog attack in Pilaia: ‘They would have torn me to pieces’ – mother’s description is shocking
Athens: an Albanian man was detained at the e-ΕΦΚΑ office in Omonia, threatening employees with a stick and a knife
Patras: 82-year-old doctor detained in case of illegal materials involving minors