European Public Prosecutor’s Office investigation into the Greece–Cyprus power cable

An investigation by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) is underway into possible criminal offenses related to the Greece–Cyprus undersea electricity interconnection project, according to a letter from EPPO to the Cypriot government, disclosed by Cypriot Prime Minister Nikos Christodoulides.

The €1.9 billion project, co-financed by the EU (€650 million), aspires to become the world’s “longest” (1,240 km) and “deepest” (3,000 m) high-voltage submarine cable. Once completed, Cyprus, the last EU member state in electrical isolation, will be connected to the grid, with the plan eventually extending the link to Israel.

Once completed, Cyprus, the last EU member state in electrical isolation, will be connected to the grid.

The investigation began following complaints, according to Kathimerini, though the entities and individuals involved remain unknown. For now, government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said EPPO has not contacted Greece: “There has been no communication from the European Public Prosecutor’s Office to our country about the cable,” he noted. “We will request information from Cyprus.”

Greece is managing the project through ADMIE, but Kathimerini reports that the case may concern the period before October 2023—prior to ADMIE’s acquisition of EuroAsia Interconnector, the company run by the project’s previous Cypriot head.