Deputy Minister of Rural Development Christos Kellas has strongly denied allegations that he requested favors from OPEKEPE, the Agricultural Insurance Organization. In an interview on the ‘Syndeseis’ program on ERT Friday morning (4.7.25), Kellas stated he has not visited OPEKEPE offices in the last 18 months since assuming his role.
The controversy stems from leaked conversations between former Secretary General of the Ministry of Rural Development George Stratákou and former OPEKEPE President Kyriakos Mpampasidis, which reference claims of favors allegedly requested by Kellas. In response, Kellas firmly denied any wrongdoing.
“Various dialogues are being circulated, including one involving me,” Kellas said. “The main issue in the OPEKEPE scandal is fraudulent subsidies. The second is conversations between ministers and MPs with the former OPEKEPE president, which are criminal offenses.”
He added: “As far as I’m concerned, this conversation is recent. During my ten years as an MP, I have never asked for anything, anywhere. Claims about favors come from third parties. I never requested any favor from OPEKEPE. I will not comment on third-party criticisms about me. Someone claims that ‘the minister brought us wine.’ That never happened. I have not entered OPEKEPE’s offices in the past 18 months, nor have I ever sent anyone wine during my time as an MP. I never asked for a favor from OPEKEPE. There have been occasional questions about why so-and-so hasn’t been paid, but that’s not a favor.”
Kellas also clarified that he has no intention of resigning, emphasizing that such a decision would be up to the Prime Minister.