19/01/26 (Agence Europe) – On Tuesday 13 and Wednesday 14 January, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office (EPPO) carried out several searches in French Guiana as part of an investigation into suspected fraud relating to the construction of a tourist infrastructure financed by the European Union. The project is being supported to the tune of €4.9 million under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Overseas Programme. At the request of the EPPO in Paris, the operations were conducted by the Economic and Financial Brigade of the Territorial Judicial Police Service of French Guiana, with the Cayenne Interministerial Research Group. Several people were arrested and questioned, some in police custody. The facts could be classified as fraud involving European subsidies. The investigation is continuing in order to clarify any offences and identify those responsible, while respecting the presumption of innocence. (NP)