The intense reaction of Lefteris Avgenakis The testimony of former OPEKEPE president Evangelos Simandrakos, who gave his reign with the former minister to the reduced aid received by producers in Crete, was triggered.
“At today’s meeting of the House Inquiry Committee, the former President of the OPECEPEMr. Simandrakos, had the opportunity to answer the critical questions raised. Unfortunately, however, once again, he did not answer. Instead of clear explanations, he chose the tactic of avoidance, “Mr Avgenakis stressed.
The former minister called on the former head of OPEKEPE responded to when and how he was pressured by him to release the thousands “Binded VAT ID ยปwhere are his evidence, when and how he informed him exactly how much the committed VAT were and why he did not promote the “illegal VAT” in the drawer to justice, making the laws of beneficiaries hostage.
“While he was repeatedly asked by the members of the Commission, he concealed that the” committed VAT “are different from the” non -eligible beneficiaries “, which he actually mentions in his letter dated 30.10.23. With contradictions and uncertainty he supported others than he had claimed in his affidavit on 26.02.25, “he says.
According to Mr. Avgenakis, Mr. Simandrakos was obviously embarrassed and did not show evidence, no evidence.
“Even now, I call on Mr. Simandrakos to provide evidence of everything he claimed against me. In another case, I reserve to exercise any of my legal rights, “he concluded.
Mr Avgenakis ‘response comes following Mr Simandrakos’ claims that he had cut aid following the then Minister of Rural Development George Georgantas, who had called for about 2,000 VAT, most of which concerned Crete. Two days after the aid was paid, Mr Simandrakos said in his testimony, he received a phone call from the then Secretary General of the Ministry, George Stratakos, who conveyed Mr Avgenakis’ discontent for “wrong payment” and asked him to resign.