Thessaloniki: Five Arrested for Fake Olive Oil Scam Released on Conditions

Five individuals arrested in connection with the fake olive oil scandal were released on restrictive conditions after appearing before the 6th Tactical Investigating Judge on Great Wednesday (April 16, 2025). The accused are charged with adulterating and selling substandard oil as ‘extra virgin olive oil’ in Greece and other European Union countries. Prior to this, a police operation took place on Great Monday at a warehouse in Menemeni, Thessaloniki, where the illegal production facility was discovered. Among those arrested is the 55-year-old alleged leader of the criminal group and his 51-year-old spouse (their 33-year-old son remains at large and is also implicated in the case along with another individual). They face charges including forgery, use of counterfeit labels, and organizing a criminal enterprise. During their testimonies, the defendants denied the serious allegations against them but admitted to certain lesser offenses. The prosecutor and judge decided to release them under restrictive terms (prohibition from leaving the country and regular appearances at a police station), while an additional financial bond was imposed on the couple. Notably, the group supplied metal containers bearing EU Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and national Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) marks, certifications only granted to accredited businesses. It’s worth mentioning that the 55-year-old Greek man, accused as the head of the criminal gang, had been previously arrested in February in Alexandroupoli for similar offenses and was released after being charged with misdemeanors.