EU Prosecutors Open Croatia Farm Subsidy Fraud Probe

The European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) has opened a criminal investigation into suspected corruption and fraud involving European agricultural funds in Croatia. Investigators gathered evidence on Wednesday in several regions in the central part of the country.

The EPPO said it was examining the activities of Croatian citizens suspected of abuse of office, accepting and offering bribes, subsidy fraud and document falsification. According to the office, they are alleged to have acted as part of an organized group and to have harmed the financial interests of the European Union.

The EPPO has not provided further information so as not to jeopardize the investigation. Croatia’s Ministry of Agriculture did not immediately comment on the case.

The case comes shortly after a scandal in Greece, which also involved allegations of misuse of European agricultural subsidies. Last year, European prosecutors accused dozens of Greek livestock farmers of falsely claiming ownership of grazing land in order to obtain millions of euro in EU subsidies.

According to investigators, they were allegedly aided by state officials and conservative politicians. The affair led to ministerial resignations, a record EU fine for Greece and the lifting of immunity for 13 members of the Greek parliament.

(reuters, bak)