Three Greek cabinet ministers resigned on Friday as a European Union investigation into alleged farm subsidy fraud widened, in a case that has intensified political pressure on the government and added to unrest in the country’s farming sector, The Washington Post reported.

Agriculture Minister Kostas Tsiaras, Civil Protection Minister Yiannis Kefalogiannis, and Deputy Health Minister Dimitris Vartzopoulos all stepped down while denying wrongdoing, saying their resignations were meant to help the investigation proceed, the newspaper said. 

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is seeking immunity waivers for 11 lawmakers, according to the Post, in an inquiry that has stirred public anger in Greece and raised concerns across the agricultural sector.

The alleged fraud centers on a Greek state agency accused of failing to stop the misuse of EU funds through false claims involving land and livestock. The probe is being led by European chief prosecutor Laura Codruta Kovesi, who traveled to Athens last year for talks with Greek officials, the Post said. Friday’s departures marked the second round of resignations tied to the scandal after five senior officials stepped down last year.

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