Ongoing investigations by both Greek authorities and the European Prosecutor’s Office into a farm subsidies scandal that estimated to have doled out hundreds of millions of euros in fraudulent payments netted more suspects this week, with Crete, specifically the Irakleio prefecture, coming under more scrutiny.

Authorities on Friday cited the existence of a “extended network” in Irakleio (Herakleio) set up to bilk fraudulent payments from the new defunct OPEKEPE agency that operated under the rural development ministry.

Two high-profile arrests were announced in the specific case, which is estimated to have made off with 1.7 million euros in farm subsidies since 2019. One is a well-known agriculture cooperative official, Myronas Hiletzakis, and the accountant for a union of farm cooperatives of Irakleio, Giorgos Lambrakis.

News of the alleged involvement of Lambrakis, in fact, generated increased media attention, as PASOK party president Nikos Androulakis served as the “best man” in the latter’s wedding. He was also reportedly a PASOK cadre. His wife, attorney Chrysanthi Koutantou, was also arrested.

Conversely, the other suspect, Hiletzakis, was known to have relations with ruling New Democracy (ND) party.

So far, 15 individuals have been arrested, while a total of 42 are being investigated for possible involvement.