Investigations

Death in Paradise: How 64 care home residents died in Crete

Families who trusted their elderly relatives to the Aghia Skepi care home in Crete were told they would be well cared for. But after 64 suspicious deaths occurred in a single year, official documents revealed that the home had a history of violations. Former workers confirm this, describing tales of massive mistreatment and neglect. Relatives are overwhelmed with grieve and shock.

Interview: No happy end yet for whistleblower Maria Efimova
Athens, 14 June 2018. Maria Efimova moments after the Greek Supreme Court ruled against her extradition to Malta. Photo: boublis

Interview: No happy end yet for whistleblower Maria Efimova

Maria Efimova fled Malta fearing for her life after blowing the whistle on corruption at the very top of the island’s government. Greece refused to hand her back to Malta, but now Cyprus is going after her husband. Reporters United spoke to the couple as they await the extradition hearing.

Fishing quotas: How EU governments are destroying Europe’s seas
Photo: Thodoris Chondrogiannos

Fishing quotas: How EU governments are destroying Europe’s seas

Once a year, representatives of the 27 member states on the Council of the EU meet to set the bloc’s fishing quotas. The decisions are made behind closed doors, often ignoring scientific advice. This process is contributing to the depletion of fish stocks in Europe’s seas. The Mediterranean and the Black sea are already the most overfished regions on the planet.

The unexpected European dilemma: Support the US — or Big Pharma?

For seven months during a raging pandemic, Europe and the US have ignored a demand by over 100 countries to release patents related to Covid-19 products. This week, the US government announced a sudden about-turn on its stance, which was met with praise from many EU officials and governments. Investigate Europe documents how governments opposed the waiver fiercely until the very last moment.

Greece has been blocking an EU law promoting gender equality – is this about to change?
Alexia Barakou / Investigate Europe / Reporters United

Greece has been blocking an EU law promoting gender equality – is this about to change?

Research for Investigate Europe’s “Council project” revealed that Greece is one of a handful of smaller EU member states blocking a proposed directive in the Council of the EU. The directive aims to improve the gender balance of non-executive directors on company boards. The Greek government denied this, but a breakthrough may be in sight, after our revelations pressed it to take a position.