EU Funds Investigation Shakes Croatian Agriculture Sector

The European Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating potential corruption and fraud involving EU agricultural funds in Croatia. The probe, which targets Croatian nationals, echoes a similar scandal in Greece last year. No further details have been disclosed to protect ongoing proceedings.

The European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) has initiated a criminal investigation into potential corruption and fraud related to European Union agricultural funds in Croatia, an official statement confirmed on Wednesday.

Authorities are scrutinizing activities involving Croatian nationals accused of abusing their office and authority, participating in bribery, subsidy fraud, and document forgery, all aimed against the EU’s financial interests. The EPPO has opted not to reveal additional information to safeguard the investigation's integrity.

This development follows closely on the heels of a Greek scandal involving EU farm subsidies, which severely impacted the center-right government. Last year, European prosecutors charged numerous Greek stockbreeders for falsely claiming EU subsidies, a scandal that prompted ministerial resignations and significant political fallout.