OR “OPECEPE case” brings back to the forefront of the pivotal role of Prosecutor (Eppo), an institution that until recently worked quietly in the shadow of European developments. The presence and action of the leader, *Laura Konticha Covessi *, now make the scope of the potential and its interventions clear, especially on corruption and mismanagement of Community funds.

Eppo was created in 2017, with its operation dynamically starting in November of that year. The choice of the *Romanian Judicial Officer *, which in 2020 was justified by the European Court of Human Rights for her political persecution in her home country, marked a new era of perseverance and uninterrupted investigation against corruption.

Structure and Shipment of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office

Based on Luxembourgthe European Public Prosecutor’s Office is set up by 24 European Prosecutors – one per member of the participating Member State – and also has decentralized groups of prosecutors by country. For example, in Athens the team has 10 executives. Eppo’s central body oversees the investigations and persecutions that are developing locally, operating with full independence from the national authorities. Its judicial acts are under the control of national courts, while ensuring that European law is observed through the European Court.

A separate position in the operation of Eppo is the Protection of informantswith special digital tools in the disposal of every citizen who wants to denounce financial crimes or corruption.

Action Elements and International Affairs

In its annual report on 2024, Eppo reports 2,666 active cases with estimated damage of more than € 24.8 billion. *”With an estimated loss of € 13.15 billion, VAT fraud represents more than 53% of the total estimated loss”*, the report said. In addition, the value of frozen assets during the year amounted to EUR 849 million.

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office has managed important cases, such as investigation into vaccine Against Covid-19 and complex VAT fraud networks, even with the involvement of *Italian Camorra *. Covessi herself did not hesitate to threaten the Commission in legal action for delays in Eppo funding, showing perseverance and determination even against European institutions.

Timeliness and Greek affairs

In Greece, the involvement of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office was particularly noticeable with the investigation of OPEKEPE’s “iconic pastures”, but also with the investigation of recovery fund projects – where according to Politico, 10 companies managed more than 600 projects worth 2.5 billion euros. The research also touches the * Tempe’s * accident * and rail contracts. Her aggressive tactic has sparked reactions and criticism of the political scene, with Covessi herself complaining about her work, especially in the OPECEPE case.

The head of Eppo insists: *”We do not chase countries. We are chasing crimes ”*. As he told Monde in 2016, *”I don’t care if he is a Minister, Mayor or Secretary. If there is illegality with European funds, we will get to the end. ” Today, European citizens are finding that this promise is finding a substantial application to the action of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office.