The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has announced that it has arrested 21 Croatians, including a serving public official and a former public official, following an investigation into corruption and possible fraud involving European Union agricultural subsidies.
The head and a former expert advisor of an agricultural funds payment agency in one of Croatia's counties were among those arrested on May 6, in coordination with local police and Croatian tax administration authorities, on suspicion of "abuse of office and authority and taking bribes," an EPPO statement said.
The EPPO, which began operations in 2021, is the EU's independent public prosecution office tasked with investigating and bringing to justice crimes against the bloc's financial interests.
The EPPO statement said that the public official in custody allegedly coordinated with farmers to assist in the preparation and submission of applications and to secure EU agricultural subsidies in potentially irregular circumstances, in exchange for illegal financial benefits.
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Greece arrests 20 suspects in Crete for fraud with EU agricultural subsidies
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Seven arrested on suspicion of corruption and abuse of office
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Public official detained, suspected of misuse of tenders worth over 8.8 million euros
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Nine arrested in the Prosecution's action for tax and fuel fraud
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