An organised ring centred on Vorizia in Crete allegedly operated for years in the region of Messara and Amari, imposing a regime of fear on residents and farmers. As part of a major operation by the Sub-Directorate for Combating Organized Crime of Crete, six people, related to each other, were arrested and accused of participating in a criminal organization involved in extortion, land encroachment, cattle rustling, arson and illegal collection of agricultural subsidies through OPEKEPE.
A 43-year-old man and two of his nephews allegedly played a central role in the organisation, which, according to the authorities, coordinated the illegal activities. Their activities extended from Vorizia to villages in the municipality of Amari in Rethymno, where, according to the allegations, they exerted pressure and threats on small farmers in order to gain control of plots of land and declare land for subsidies.
The investigation showed that members of the group declared a larger number of sheep and goats than the actual number, illegally securing European aid that, over five years, totalled more than €586,000. The wives of the main defendants and their friends were allegedly involved in the ring.
According to the case file, farmers who did not give in to their demands were the target of intimidation and destruction of their property. Damages attributed to the organisation’s activities from 2021 to date are estimated at more than 200,000 euros, while the victims are said to be more than 40 people.
Incidents under investigation include the arson of a farmer’s vehicle, the destruction of 134 olive trees in an area of Amari and the cutting of 400 vine plants, actions attributed to acts of revenge against landowners who refused to give up their fields.
The police operation took place at dawn on Monday in Vorizia, in the presence of strong forces of the EL.AS. Authorities had already gathered evidence after earlier investigations following a bloody incident in the area last November.
The alleged leader of the organisation was arrested in Athens, outside a hospital in Kallithea, where he had gone with his wife for medical reasons. An arrest warrant was pending against him from the Rethymno investigating magistrate and he was subsequently transferred to Crete.
His two nephews were brought before the Rethymnon interrogator and were given a deadline to apologise. At the same time, residents of the areas where the ring operated describe a climate of fear and silence that prevailed for years, with many even avoiding going to the authorities for fear of reprisals.
