Operation Aurelia: Police raid on suspicion of EU funds fraud, damage nearly €863,000
The anti-corruption unit of the Bureau Against Organised Crime has conducted a raid on suspicion of fictitious innovation financed from EU funds. The preliminary damage amounts to nearly €863,000.
Police raid: suspicion of EU funds fraud under Operation Aurelia
Personnel from the anti-corruption unit of the Office for the Fight Against Organised Crime (ÚBOK) have been conducting searches since early morning in connection with a case involving suspicion of unlawful drawing of European funds. According to Aktuality, the operation is being carried out under the codename Aurelia.
"The operation is taking place in a criminal case conducted under the supervision of the European Public Prosecutor's Office," said police headquarters spokesperson Lea Vilhanová. The case concerns suspicion of unlawful drawing of non-repayable financial assistance within the framework of a project declared as 'Innovation of the manufacturing process of company XXX s r.o.'
According to police findings, documents were allegedly submitted to the provider of financial resources confirming proper fulfilment of the project's conditions, despite the fact that the purchased technological equipment had not actually been put into operation.
"The declared innovation was not implemented into the manufacturing process and part of the technologies was to remain stored outside the declared place where the project was to be carried out," Vilhanová clarified. The investigation is also focusing on further serious breaches of the project and contractual conditions.
During today's operation, police officers secured technological equipment purchased from the project, accounting, business and project documentation, contractual materials, electronic data storage devices and other items of importance for criminal proceedings.
"The preliminarily calculated damage amounts to nearly €863,000. The investigation continues, with further urgent procedural measures being carried out. More information cannot currently be provided," concluded spokesperson Vilhanová.
Source: Aktuality