European Public Prosecutor's Office investigates a signal for suspected misuse of EU funds in Boychinovtsi

The European Public Prosecutor's Office on November 28 announced that searches have been carried out as part of an investigation into possible misuse of EU funds in a project for the repair of a municipal road network in the municipality of Boychinovtsi (Northwestern Bulgaria).

The searches were carried out at a number of locations in Bulgaria earlier this month, including sites of companies involved in the construction, as well as administrative offices of the municipality of Boychinovtsi. Numerous documents were seized and witnesses were questioned, the statement said.

According to the investigation, on 9 July 2019, the municipality of Boychinovtsi concluded a contract for financial assistance with the State Fund "Agriculture" related to the implementation of the project worth EUR 2.6 million under the EU rural development programme. The contract stipulates that the deadline for the use of the funds and the submission of the final payment request is 36 months from the date of signing. Since then, the deadline has been extended several times, but so far there is no evidence that the agreed activities have been completed or that the project has been completed.

The investigation is being carried out with the support of the General Directorate of National Police and aims to establish the nature and extent of the alleged criminal activities, the release added.

Source: BTA