European prosecutors investigate subsidy fraud in Croatia

EPPO launches investigation into possible corruption and misuse of EU agricultural funds

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Farm in the village of Stara Kapela in Croatia, Photo: Reuters
Farm in the village of Stara Kapela in Croatia, Photo: Reuters
Disclaimer: The translations are mostly done through AI translator and might not be 100% accurate.

The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has launched a criminal investigation into possible corruption and fraud related to European Union agricultural funds in Croatia, Reuters reports.

Police are collecting evidence in several counties in central Croatia, according to a statement from the EPPO.

The investigation concerns the activities of Croatian citizens suspected of abuse of position and authority, receiving and giving bribes, subsidy fraud and falsification of documents within the framework of a criminal association, to the detriment of the financial interests of the EU, the EPPO announced.

He did not provide additional details so as not to jeopardize the outcome of the ongoing proceedings, according to Reuters.

Croatian Minister of Agriculture David Vlajčić said that the changes initiated by his ministry in the Agricultural Payments Agency and in the ARKOD system for recording the use of agricultural land are aimed at greater transparency and control of the use of EU funds.

"Our goal is to ensure that every euro of public money reaches those who are entitled to it," Vlajčić told Reuters.

He also said that the paying agency reported irregularities it encountered during its work, allowing the competent authorities, including the EPPO, to act appropriately.

"This is proof that we are determined to bring order to the agricultural subsidy system," said Vlajčić.

The investigation comes after a scandal in Greece over alleged fraud also linked to EU agricultural subsidies, which has rocked the center-right government in recent months.

European prosecutors last year accused dozens of Greek herders of falsifying ownership of pastures to claim millions of euros in EU subsidies, allegedly with the help of civil servants and conservative politicians.

The affair led to the resignations of ministers, prompted the EU to impose a record fine on Greece last year for mismanagement of subsidies, and led the Greek parliament to lift the immunity of 13 implicated MPs.

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