EU Launches Criminal Probe Into Croatia’s Suspected EU Farm Fund Fraud and Corruption
Overview of the Criminal Investigation
SARAJEVO, May 6 (Reuters) - The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has launched a criminal investigation into possible corruption and fraud involving European Union agricultural funds in Croatia, it said on Wednesday.
Police Activities and Evidence Gathering
Police were gathering evidence in several counties in central Croatia, it said in a statement.
Details of the Alleged Offenses
Suspected Crimes and Involved Parties
The probe relates to the activities of Croatian nationals suspected of abuse of office and authority, receiving and offering bribes, subsidy fraud and forgery of documents as part of a criminal association and to the detriment of the EU's financial interests, the EPPO said.
Confidentiality of Proceedings
It provided no further details in order not to endanger the outcome of the ongoing proceedings.
Reactions and Related Scandals
Croatian Government Response
Croatia's agriculture ministry did not immediately comment on the EPPO's announcement.
Comparison to Greek Farm Subsidy Scandal
The investigation comes on the heels of a scandal in Greece over alleged fraud similarly related to EU farm subsidies that has shaken the centre-right government in recent months.
Details of the Greek Scandal
Last year, European prosecutors charged dozens of Greek stockbreeders with faking ownership of pastureland to claim millions of euros in EU subsidies, allegedly with the help of state employees and conservative politicians.
Consequences and Political Fallout in Greece
The affair has prompted ministerial resignations, led the EU last year to impose a record fine on Greece for mismanagement of the subsidies and led the Greek parliament to lift the immunity of 13 implicated lawmakers.
(Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic and Angeliki Koutantou; Editing by Joe Bavier)
