Authorities in Croatia have started a probe into potential corruption and fraud involving agricultural funds from the EU.

The investigation and "evidence-gathering activities" are being carried out at the request of the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO).

Investigations were carried out in several counties in Croatia yesterday (Tuesday, May 5).

The investigation concerns several Croatian nationals suspected of committing the criminal offences of abuse of office and authority; receiving and offering bribes; subsidy fraud; and forgery of documents.

The EPPO alleged that this took place as part of a single criminal association, and that it was "to the detriment" of the EU's financial interests.

The Croatian authorities involved in the investigation include police departments in various counties (including Zagreb county, the area immediately surrounding the capital city of the same name), as well as the national policing authority for corruption and organised crime.

The EPPO said that no further details on this investigation are being made public at this time in order not to endanger the outcome of the proceedings.

The EPPO is an independent public prosecution authority for the EU.

It is responsible for investigating, prosecuting and bringing to judgment crimes against the financial interests of the EU.

Young farmer fund fraud

Meanwhile, the EPPO has also filed an indictment in a Romanian court against four individuals for suspected fraud involving funds for young farmers.

The charges were brought by EPPO in Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

The EPPO said that, according to the evidence, the defendants submitted false and inaccurate documents to Romania’s Agency for Financing Rural Investments (AFIR), responsible for managing EU funds, thereby attempting to unlawfully obtain €115,000, of which they received €45,000.

It is understood that the defendants were helped by two other individuals, who provided consultancy activities to obtain EU funds.

These individuals issued false professional qualification certificates, certifying that the beneficiaries had attended professional training for “qualified workers in animal breeding”, a requirement to obtain the EU funding.